by Ariana Dupre
"You can trust me, Angie,” he said, his voice a low rumble.
This time Angie studied him, really scrutinized his face. He looked sincere, but looks could sometimes be deceiving. “I'll try,” she said to appease him.
"Good,” he sighed, “I know I was too short with you when you brought me Theodore's journal. I really do want to read it. Maybe I can get through it tonight."
"Impossible."
"Hey, I'm a fast reader,” he said jokingly.
"The journal is being authenticated,” Angie stated. “It's not in my possession right now."
His brows furrowed slightly. “And one last thing."
Angie laughed. Then in response to the serious look on his face, added, “What is this? Confession?"
"No. Maybe ... Look, I end up kissing you every time I'm around you. I don't want you to take it the wrong way."
Stopping in her tracks, Angie stared at him, her interest piqued. “What way should I take it then?"
"I know you think I have a string of broken hearts behind me, you told me as much, but you're wrong. If you don't believe me, then feel free to ask Terri."
"Why are you telling me this? Let me guess ... after the intense make-out sessions we shared and now that you know I'm a virgin, you either feel guilty or you want to make me trust you so you can get me into bed.” She rolled her eyes, walking ahead of him. “I've heard it all before, Jared. Believe me, your well rehearsed lines will not affect me.” Stopping she turned to confront him. “I'm waiting for true love, something you couldn't possibly understand, and until then I'll remain as I am. The other night we went too far. I assure you, it will not happen again."
She sounded so calm, so disinterested. “I'm not convinced of that, Angie.” He said with a half smile. “I don't want you to have the wrong impression of me, that's all."
"Hmm, it's interesting that you would worry about the impression I have of you. What are you up to, Jared Maxwell?"
"I'm not up to anything."
"Really?” Angie studied him, but he turned away, quickened his pace.
"Let's go see how the kids liked their new ponies,” he said, striding ahead of her toward the barn.
* * * *
Angie took the lettuce, tomatoes and onions out of the refrigerator and sat them on the counter.
The outing had been interesting. She'd eventually realized the farm was Jared's birthday present to Terri, along with the horse and two ponies. What kind of brother would give his sister a farm with stock as a gift?
A wealthy one. She'd never thought of Jared as rich before, but maybe he was. At The Variety Vine, much to her amazement, he'd even spent a few hundred dollars on the children.
She'd secretly hoped to find that the store couldn't operate without her, but it was running as smooth as silk under Sharon Brady's management. Sales were even up a little. Although everyone told her they missed her, everything was under control.
Terri had purchased two matching antique floor lamps for her new home, proclaiming herself the newest regular customer.
Smiling while slicing through a tomato, Angie placed the red circle on the last empty lettuce leaf surrounding the condiment bowls centered on the platter. She'd cut the onions next; then the hamburger toppings would be complete.
The screened porch door slammed.
"Looks like we're outnumbered,” said Terri as she washed the hamburger-hotdog tray. “How in the world do you work with so many guys?"
"They're a bunch of good old boys,” Angie replied, getting the onions from the bottom cupboard. “I've known most of them since I was a child."
Terri ripped off a paper towel and dried the tray. “So who's the guy with the dark curly hair in the red baseball cap?"
"Sid McNichols."
"He's cute."
"He's available,” Angie said. “I'll introduce you when I come out."
"No thanks. I'll just look. I'm not ready for the dating scene yet."
"Let me know if you change your mind."
"Okay.” Reaching in the fridge, Terri put more hotdogs on the tray. “Where are the hamburgers?"
"Second shelf.” Angie peeled the outer layer off the onion.
"Got ‘em. Man these guys can sure eat,” Terri grumbled. “Do you think I'll have to come back for thirds?"
"You might.” Angie laughed.
"Okay, Sis, see ya later."
"Later gator.” Filling a glass with water, Angie set it beside the cutting board; then, taking the knife, she sliced the onion.
"Hey, stranger!” said Alan excitedly. Grabbing Angie from behind, he gave her a big squeeze, then released her. “You know that old glass of water trick doesn't always work."
Angie laughed, turning to him, tears streaming down her face. “Yeah I know, but Aunt Martha ingrained it in me. It usually works if the onion isn't too strong. But this one's a doozie!"
"You look beautiful crying, too,” Alan said, and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
"When did you get here?"
"Just a few minutes ago. I had to give my best girl a hug first, but now I better get out there and teach those boys how to cook those burgers and dogs."
"Don't burn them, Chef.” Angie laughed at Alan who gave her a wink and two thumbs up on his way out of the door. She just adored that man.
A few minutes later, the door slammed again.
If any part of the house is Grand Central during a cookout, Angie decided, it was the kitchen. Putting the hamburger toppings aside, Angie started mixing milk, sugar and eggs she'd measured earlier.
"Are you back for thirds already, Terri?” she asked without looking behind her.
"I haven't had first or seconds yet,” Jared said with a chuckle. “What are you making?"
"Dessert. How's it going out there?” Angie asked, glancing at him. “Are the hamburgers done?"
"No, Alan and Burt are arguing over how long to cook them."
"Those two.” She laughed. “They'll argue about anything. Sometimes I think they just do it for kicks."
Jared closed the distance to stand directly behind her, crowding her work area. The smell of musk and soap was intoxicating. Leaning against her back, he whispered, “And what do you do for kicks, Angelina?"
Thank goodness he can't see my face, thought Angie, feeling her cheeks flame. “None of your business, Mr. Maxwell.” Her words were too breathy, her pulse too quick against her veins.
"Can we please go back to Jared?"
Angie hesitated before she poured in the vanilla flavoring. “It's none of your business, Jared."
"I'd like to make it my business,” he said, and then boldly caressed the dark tendrils of her ponytail. “Your hair's so soft."
And you're making me crazy! “Thanks."
Sliding his hands down her back, then snaking his arms around her waist, Jared rested his chin on her shoulder. “So, what's for dessert? Anything hot, sweet, and delicious? Something like you?"
"No. Something cold. Homemade ice cream, and if you don't let me go, someone's going to come in here and get the wrong idea."
"So?” He nipped at the nape of her neck, scraping his teeth along skin that was silky smooth.
"So,” she said, a hint of desperation coloring her tone, “I don't want people thinking that we're interested in each other.” Shrugging him from her neck, Angie removed his hands from her waist, and turned to face him. “Jared, we are working here, doing a job. That's all."
"It could be more,” he pointed out.
"It will never be more.” Angie backed further away from him. Turning, she opened the refrigerator and stared inside. I do want more. So much more, but until I know if you'll hurt me, and why you want my part of the Inn, I can't trust you completely.
But her heart had jumped ship, betraying her by giving itself to Jared Maxwell.
"If that's the way you want it,” Jared interrupted her thoughts, sounding wounded at her dismissal. Picking up the tray of condiments and toppings, Jared took them outside without anoth
er word.
Yes, that's exactly the way I want it.
Don't I?
Two hours later, everyone had eaten and the cookout was cleared and cleaned up. Angie sat alone under the sycamore tree. She watched the men preparing fireworks in celebration of the holiday. She had always loved watching the fireworks with Aunt Martha and Alan when she was a child. Tonight would be almost like old times. She sensed Aunt Martha was there with her in spirit.
Still, she couldn't get Jared's words out of her mind. Could she vanquish her fear of him to have that something more she craved? No, he's too complicated. But then again, maybe he seemed complex because her own feelings were so mixed up.
On the surface he seemed trustworthy enough. But her gut still said that Jared had a secret, something that he was deliberately hiding from her.
Was it a secret that could cost her her life?
Drinking deeply from her wine glass, she decided to just get tipsy and forget about it. Maybe that's not a good idea after what happened the last time she drank.
Angie's gaze drifted over to Jared. There was no question, no question at all that she liked the way he made her feel when he touched her. The way he made her become one with him in a kiss, the way her body warmed inside...
She liked it a lot. Maybe too much.
But when those blue eyes turned angry and the villain from her dream reappeared, fear of him would rip through her, tearing her emotions to shreds.
Get a grip, Angie, she reprimanded herself; then downed the rest of the crimson liquid.
Jared hadn't spoken to her since he'd left the kitchen. No matter how much she had watched him, willed him to look her way, he just ignored her. It hurt that he couldn't even bring himself to look in her direction.
What else should I expect? she admonished herself. I told him there would never be anything between us.
The wine was warming her, lowering her inhibitions. Maybe she was being too hard on Jared, she mused. Should she give in to him just a little?
Burt tuned a battery-operated radio to a popular country music station. He and his wife did a lively dance and when the song ended, Burt swung her around, their laughter filling the air.
Angie smiled. After thirty years of marriage, you could still see the sparks between the two of them. Could she even hope to find that kind of love herself one day? Sighing, she picked up the wine bottle, tilted it to look inside. Half full. So much for not getting tipsy, she thought, pouring more into her glass.
Looking across the yard, Angie thought she saw Eddie standing near the edge of the woods. What's he doing way over there? He must have just gotten here. She put the bottle down, waved and called to him but Eddie only stared at her. She wanted to try and make up with him. They'd been friends for too long to let a misunderstanding come between them.
"Look at all my lightning bugs, Angie!” Kevin said, running up to her and shoving the jar in her face.
Facing Kevin, she put her glass down and took the jar, twisting it side to side. “Those are spectacular, Kevin! Or is it Devin?” she teased.
The little boy giggled. “I'm Kevin.” Taking the jar back, he ran off to catch more of the flashing insects. She turned back toward Eddie but he was gone.
Someone changed the station on the radio. A sultry slow song filled the night air. As she looked over the crowd for Eddie, Angie noticed several of the workers slow dancing with their wives. Maybe Eddie was talking to Alan. No, Alan's talking to Jared. It's as if Eddie just disappeared. Closing her eyes, Angie leaned her head back against the tree. Forgetting about Eddie, she let the night and music embrace her.
"May I have this dance?"
Her eyes flashed open to see her longtime friend, Sid McNichols, standing beside her. Lifting her hand to him, she grinned. “Sure."
Sid led her to the grass dance floor where Angie slipped her arms around his neck. “So how's my favorite football player tonight?"
"Good, but I could be doing better."
Angie laughed aloud. “What do you want, Sid?"
"I never could hide anything from you, could I?” Sid spun her around. “Who's that blonde?"
Angie glanced over at Terri; then pulled back a little from Sid's embrace, scrutinizing him. “Why, Sid McNichols, you're breaking my heart!” she said, mimicking a Southern Belle.
Sid laughed. “But you know I'll always love you, Scarlett,” he said, bending to kiss her on the cheek.
"Yeah, I know.” Out of the corner of her eye, Angie saw Jared watching, so she kissed Sid on the cheek too. “That's Jared's sister, Terri Logan."
"She's a looker."
"And really sweet too. I think you'd like her. Why don't you go and talk to her?"
"I might.” Sid looked around her at Terri.
Angie rolled her eyes at him. “Yeah, sure. What am I going to do with you, Sid? Marry you myself?"
"Yuck, marry you?” he teased. “I'd feel like I was marrying my sister."
"Then get your butt over there and talk to the woman!” she said, tugging his hair.
"Okay, Okay,” he conceded. “I will, after we dance."
Angie sighed dramatically. “Sid,” she began, “we've known each other a long time. I know very well that you're thinking you don't have a chance in hell with Terri, and you're not going to risk talking to her. Well, you don't know until you try. Maybe she's not as high maintenance as she looks."
"Oh, all right.” Sid laughed and squeezed Angie tight.
"Mind if I cut in?"
Sid turned to the man beside him; then winked at Angie. “I guess you can have her.” Kissing her on the cheek, he handed her over.
"Thanks.” Jared's scowl said much more than words ever could. Angie's heart skipped a beat. What the heck was his problem now?
"Have fun with your little lover boy?” he growled.
"Sid's a friend from school, not a lover boy.” Angie's tone was firm. No way was he starting with her again.
"That's not what it looked like to me.” Holding her tightly, Jared danced them apart from the crowd, where their conversation couldn't be heard. “From where I stood, there was a lot of kissing going on."
"Oh, for Pete's sake, Jared,” she snapped. “I'll kiss whomever I feel like kissing. Besides, if you watched that closely you certainly noticed all the kisses were on the cheek."
Angie felt her back touch something hard. With a backward glance, she saw it was the sycamore tree. Jared had danced her to the other side of the yard, out of everyone's view.
And she hadn't even noticed.
The faint yellow glow from the garden torches flickered against his skin, casting shadows around his eyes and mouth.
He looked sinister.
And oh so sexy.
Angie's stomach tightened. “Jared, I think we better go back."
"What's your hurry?” he whispered, holding her taut against the tree.
Her body screamed as blood sped through her veins. The temperature skyrocketed. With his chest pressed against hers, the scent of him was completely overpowering.
Oh yeah. I want him something fierce. “Jared, I..."
"You want a kiss, pretty lady? Is that what you were after back there?” he questioned.
"No, I...” I can't breathe. “Cut it out, Jared."
He caressed her cheek with his lips; then moved to her earlobe where he nibbled gently. “Is this what you were hoping for with Sid?"
Angie's whole body tingled. Her breathing became ragged. “I told you ... Sid and I are just friends, we grew up together.” Angie knew she should make him stop, but his lips on her body just felt so good. So right. “What's the matter, Jared? Jealous?"
Jared kissed the length of her neck before looking her in the eyes. Nose to nose, the heat of him filled her senses.
"Me, jealous?” he said. A slow, grin spread across his face, yet something else blazed in his eyes. Something she couldn't quite grasp. “You're forgetting who you're talking to, Angie."
Danger? Mischievousness? Desire?
>
Danger! That's what had flashed in his eyes. As soon as she recognized it, the fear she'd nearly forgotten overrode her excitement.
"Let me go.” Pushing against him, she wiggled and squirmed, but he didn't budge. She couldn't free herself.
"And you said you weren't afraid of me,” he said softly.
"I'm not,” she lied. “Jared, we've had a nice day. For once, we got along. Please don't ruin it."
"I'm not going to ruin anything. We didn't even speak for most of the day,” he said, quickly brushing his lips against her jawline. “Look me in the eyes and tell me that you don't want me to kiss you right now. If you really mean it, I'll let you go, no questions asked."
Angie opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come. Looking into his eyes, she realized she'd been wrong. It wasn't danger she'd seen—it was desire.
Please kiss me! her mind screamed. She could already taste him on her lips. No. I must fight my feelings. If I lose myself to him I'll be in trouble. What am I thinking? I'm already lost.
She felt weak from the closeness of his muscular male body. Forcing the words to her lips, she looked down. “I don't want you to kiss me."
"You're a liar, Angie. You couldn't look me in the eyes and say it.” Tilting her chin, he lifted her face to his. “Now tell me the truth."
She searched his eyes and her heart. She wouldn't lie to herself. For all the pain it would cause, no matter how hard she tried to deny it, she loved him. Her emotions tore at her even as her fingers curled in his hair.
Just one taste.
She brought his face to hers. “This is absolutely, positively the last time this will ever happen, Jared Maxwell,” she whispered against his lips before crushing them under her own.
Jared didn't kiss her back. Not until she deepened the kiss, did he release his own passion. Moments later, he freed himself from her mouth. “I want you, Angie."
Struggling to catch her breath, Angie brought herself back to the here and now. Her head reeled.
She'd lost her heart to the wrong man. “You and every other man I've ever kissed,” she said.