by KB Winters
“I agree,” Uncle Bob chimed in. I looked at him with a grateful expression. “I didn’t know what I was getting my nephew into when I gave him my ultimatum, but I’m glad for it. He met someone who fits him well and doesn’t take his shit.” That got a softly huffed chuckle from Blake. “I can rest assured my father’s legacy is in more than capable hands.”
“Uncle Bob.”
He put his hand up stilling Blake’s words. “Now, now, none of that. Nobody lives forever, but I’ve still got some years left in me and I hope to see some grandnieces and nephews before my time is up.” Blake squeezed me and I felt warmed. “But until then, I’ll sleep easy knowing that my nephew found the girl he always wanted—and needed, thanks to my brilliant idea.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “You are shameless, Uncle Bob.”
He grinned. “And don’t you forget it. So why don’t you all take this down to Anne’s so I can check on some customers.” Bob walked around the front desk and came to stand beside my mother. I felt a mean little thrill at the lost expression on her face, but didn’t comment on it. Bob took her elbow gently. “Let me show you to one of our newly renovated rooms ma’am. I’m sure you had a long flight and need to rest.”
Mommy Dearest looked up at him with a startled expression and I sighed. As much as I wanted to say something biting—she was still my mother and that just wasn’t me. “Go with him Mother and relax. Maybe being here will help you find some manner of peace.”
“I…” she trailed off gazing at me with a torn expression—vulnerable in a way I’d never seen her. Unbidden, a small kernel of hope rose within me. Maybe the mother I used to know, the one who was warm and kind, was actually buried in there somewhere and we could salvage what was left of our relationship.
Only time would tell.
“I have to get to those errands I mentioned before, baby,” Blake said. I titled my head back so I could look at him. His expression was soft as he gazed down at me and he moved to place a kiss on my slack lips. “Why don’t you take Davis to Anne’s for some breakfast and then we can meet up later.”
I bit my lip. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah,” he replied glancing over at Davis. “We’re cool.” He stuck out a hand. My eyebrows canted up in surprise as Davis reached out and shook Blake’s hand before giving me a lopsided grin.
“Yeah, like he said. We’re cool.”
I didn’t know what had happened exactly, but I couldn’t help but smile.
Chapter Seventeen
The familiar warmth and scents of Anne-Marie’s coffee shop filled my senses as soon as we stepped in and I couldn’t help but relax. In the short time I’d been in Kenai, I’d already fallen in love with some of its quaint charms and this was definitely one of them.
“There’s my little Los Angeles hero.” I smiled and turned my gaze to Anne-Marie. The brunette was standing with one hand on her hip and the other hand clutching a coffee pot. “I was wondering if I’d be seeing you or Blake today with the display you two put on outside yesterday.”
I hid my smile behind my hand and fought hard against the blush that wanted to stain my cheeks. “Yes, well…” My voice trailed off as I tried to think of what to say to salvage my pride. I glanced up at Anne-Marie expecting to see a smirk on her face, but instead was surprised to see her gaze focused fully on Davis. I glanced over at him to see his gaze similarly focused on her. My blush abated and I couldn’t help the smile that curled my lips. “Interesting.”
My voice seemed to break whatever was going on and Anne-Marie’s gaze slid back over to me. “What?” It was my turn to see her flustered and I reveled in it letting my smile turn into a smirk. She rolled her eyes at me before letting out a soft giggle. “Anyway, why don’t you two come sit over here where I can keep my eye on you.”
“Yes…keep your eye on us indeed,” I whispered under my breath with glee. Perhaps I wouldn’t be the only one finding a reason to enjoy Kenai. Anne linked her arm with mine and I leaned into her with a soft giggle.
She leaned her head down close to mine. “Is he…”
“Completely and totally single,” I answered for her with a smile. She turned her head slightly to look back at Davis.
“Do you think he would like an old widow like me?”
I pushed against her slightly. “He’s almost thirty and you’re barely more than that.” I turned my head as well to glance back at Davis. I was surprised to see him looking down as if shy and there seemed to be a distinct flush staining his cheeks. It was adorable. “He’s a good guy and deserves someone like you.” I looked back at Anne-Marie. “You gave me a chance before anyone else with no questions asked. You’re good people too and deserve a little happiness.”
She leaned her forehead against mine and I was glad I’d found someone I could call friend so quickly. “As do you my L.A. hero.”
I smiled fondly at her nickname for me before stopping at the table. “I think I just want a coffee and a slice of that awesome coffee cake you always have.” I looked back at Davis. “What do you think you might want?”
Davis stopped and looked up at Anne-Marie. It was a moment before he answered. “I think I’ll have the same…unless you would recommend I try something else?”
“Oh…my,” she replied. I’d never seen her flustered before and I couldn’t help but giggle. She knocked her shoulder against mine before turning her attention back to Davis. “I might have some recommendations, but not for food.” With a wide smile she turned to walk away.
I had to hide my giggle behind my hand as I watched her walk away with a bit more twist to her hips than usual. One glance at Davis and I knew he’d noticed her hips as well, though probably in an entirely different way. I let him have his moment and slid a chair out for myself.
“Oh, let me get that.” Davis moved quickly pulling the chair out further and sliding it back in once I was seated. He moved to a chair beside me and sat down. When I saw him glance in the direction Anne-Marie went, I decided to see what was up.
“Like something you see?” I joked with a smile. Davis quickly shifted his gaze back to me and quirked the corners of his lips up.
“Is it that obvious?”
I didn’t want to be mean, but I couldn’t lie to him. “Very.” At his sheepish look, I quickly reassured him. “But it seems like she’s doing the exact same thing so…” I trailed off when I saw Anne-Marie walking over to us with a tray. She smiled at both of us before placing the two coffee cups and two plates of cake on our table.
“Anything else I can get you two?” She asked straightening from where she’d leaned over the table. I looked over at Davis who was again staring rather obviously. When he didn’t speak, I gently kicked his leg from under the table. He gave a little start and looked over at me.
“Uhm,” he began, his voice shy in a way I’d never heard it. I prompted him to continue by motioning with my head. “Well, I don’t know about Taylor here, but I would love to maybe get your number and take you out sometime.” He looked back up at Anne-Marie. “If that’s okay with you, I mean.”
I looked over at her, noting her surprised but pleased smile.
“I’d like that.”
Davis’ smile was blinding and I was once again glad I’d chosen not to pursue him. I doubted anything I did would have ever made him look as happy as Anne-Marie’s words did now. I didn’t say anything during their exchange and instead picked up my coffee cup to hide my smile behind it.
“I get off at six, but I know an awesome little Italian place a few streets over,” she replied.
Davis nodded so quickly I thought his head would fly off his shoulders. “That sounds great. I’ll be here.”
“Okay.” Anne-Marie gave another wide smile before turning away.
“Wait,” Davis said making a move to stand. “I didn’t get your number.”
Anne-Marie glanced over her shoulder with a sly smirk. “Check your napkin.”
Davis’ eyes widened and he looked down at the tabl
e. I couldn’t help but let out a little snort when I saw the phone number written on it. It seemed I wasn’t the only one willing to go for what I wanted.
“See you tonight,” she called out with a small wave.
I took a long sip of my coffee while I watched Davis stare at the phone number. His smile was adorable and I couldn’t stop myself from saying so.
“Thanks,” he replied looking up at me. “That…she is…” He paused as if trying to come up with words. “You’re beautiful, Taylor, okay? Extremely, but she…”
I couldn’t stop the loud laugh bubbled up out of me. “I get it Davis.” I lifted a hand to stop his stuttering words. The poor guy blew out a breath and gave me another sheepish smile.
“Thanks. Sorry. I’ve never not known what to say or how to explain myself before.”
I shrugged. “It happens to the best of us.” I took another sip of my coffee and closed my eyes at the smooth taste. “So...I just want to say I’m sorry,” I said. “I’m sorry for pretty much leading you on with the gala and then not calling you again.”
“It’s okay.” Davis looked up and smiled at my dubious expression. “Okay, it’s not okay, but I get it.”
“You do?”
“Of course,” he replied. “I was on that website too, remember? I knew what I was getting myself into.”
I nodded. “Then why did you go through with it? Don’t take this the wrong way Davis, but you seem like such a nice guy. You could have gotten any girl just based on that and your looks alone.”
Davis gave me a grateful smile. “Thanks. I guess, I’ve always been kind of shy truthfully. Plus, the women I tend to like have always been a bit…”
“Older?” I chimed in.
He chuckled. “Yeah. By the time I get to them, they’re already married, and I refuse to be that guy who breaks up anyone’s marriage no matter how unhappy.”
“So the website?”
“Was my mother’s attempt to get me to find more suitable women still within our wealth bracket.”
“Ah,” I breathed out in understanding. We both sat in silence for a few minutes and sipped our coffees. I smiled at Davis’ pleasured groan when he took his first bite of coffee cake. “Good right?”
“Jesus this is amazing!” He exclaimed. “How do you not just eat the whole cake?”
“Anne keeps it hidden from my grabby hands otherwise there would be no cake left.”
Davis laughed before digging his fork into the cake again. The second groan he let out was just as appreciative as the first. “I might have to stay here for a couple of extra days just so I can hoard slices of this.”
I snorted softly. “Are you sure that’s the only reason why you’d stay here longer?” When he looked up at me, I raised my eyebrows and smiled.
He laughed in response before putting his hand on the back of his neck. “Definitely not the only reason. There’s a certain coffee shop owner I’d like to get to know better.”
“Good,” I said with a nod. “Just, be good to her. I consider her a friend and she hasn’t had it easy.”
Davis’s expression sobered with my words. “Of course. I’m not the kind of guy that, you know, does things like…”
“I know,” I assured him. “Like I said, you’re a great guy and she deserves that. But remember, people in our circle tend to be cruel with people who aren’t just like them.”
He nodded and I felt relieved. “You mean like your mother? Yes, I understand. I can’t shield that from her, but I can make sure to be honest about what may happen.”
“Okay.” I lifted my coffee cup pausing as I thought about everything that had happened in the past few months. “Sometimes I wonder if life would have been better without all the money.”
“Me too,” he agreed softly.
We sat in comfortable silence enjoying our coffees and watching life move on around us. I considered how it took coming to a city so different from the one we left, just to find peace.
Chapter Eighteen
When I walked back into Bob’s lodge, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but seeing my mother perched in one of the couches with Bob wasn’t it.
“Mothe—” A hand over my mouth halted my words and I looked up to see Blake standing behind me his gaze trained on where my mom and Uncle Bob were sitting. His hand slid away from my lips, but before I could speak, he shushed me and pulled me back in the direction of the door. Once we were outside, I turned to him. “What the hell was that for?”
He glanced down at me before herding me to a large truck. “Trust me when I say, you don’t want to know.”
I narrowed my eyes at him and glanced back at the lodge’s front door. “I don’t get it.”
“And hopefully you never will,” he answered cryptically. Blake opened the passenger side and helped me in before walking over to the driver’s side.
“Whose truck is this?” I asked once our seat belts were on and he started the vehicle.
“Mine.”
“Oh.” I relaxed back into the seat. Blake pulled out of the parking lot and eased onto the road with the traffic. I didn’t speak again until the houses and buildings began to come few and far between. “Where are we going?”
Blake didn’t glance over when he answered. “To my cabin.”
I turned in my seat to look at him. “I didn’t know you had your own place here. I thought you stayed at the lodge.”
“I do usually. But when I want to be alone then I head out here.” His voice grew quiet. “It was my parents’ favorite place to go and get away from everything. I don’t even know if my uncle knows about it or not.”
I placed my hand on his arm. I knew how hard it was to talk about himself or his past so I stayed quiet and just silently lent him my strength.
“When I got out of the Navy, I stayed up here for a few months to get my head together. I wasn’t ready to jump back into the family business…still not, really.”
“Blake,” I said getting his attention. “It’s okay. I don’t care where we live or what you do with your family’s business.”
One of his hands left the steering wheel and cupped mine. “I know. Eventually I will no doubt take my uncle’s place with the inheritance, but for now I just want to enjoy the simple things with you.”
My heart warmed at his words. His hand left mine and moved back to the steering wheel, but the warmth of it didn’t fade away. I was content for the first time in a long time and the silence that settled between us was comfortable. I dozed off for a bit as the truck traveled down the slightly bumpy road, but awoke as soon as I felt us stop.
“Where are we?” I asked fuzzily. The sun was slowly waning bathing the area in fading light. I couldn’t see anything through the thick tree line. “How long were we driving?”
“About two and a half hours,” Blake replied unhooking his seat belt. He opened his door and I shivered when the cool air blasted into the cabin of the truck. I unhooked my own seat belt and looked out of the windshield at the large wood cabin in front of me. My door opened and Blake lifted his hand to help me out. “We’re out near Portage Glacier about an hour and some change from Anchorage.”
I stepped down and out of the truck noting the crisp chilly air. The trees were dense and I could barely make out anything. “Wow. This is remote.”
Blake chuckled. “Anything not in a city is pretty much remote out here.” He let go of my hand and pulled out a large duffel bag. “I thought, with all the drama of this morning, getting away for a while just you and me might be a good thing.”
I turned to him and moved to wrap my arms around his shoulders. “It definitely is,” I said touched by his thoughtfulness. I leaned forward kissing his lips softly. “This is perfect. I love it.”
Blake smiled before leaning down and brushing his lips softly against mine. “Good. Let’s get inside before it gets dark. I still need to get a fire going to warm the place up.” I couldn’t help the surprise that showed on my face. He chuckled. “No worries, there’s electric
ity out here and I have a backup generator and satellite as well.”
“I wasn’t worried,” I replied with a huff. At his look, I couldn’t help but giggle. “Okay, I was a little, but I’ll get used to it.”
“Yeah? You plan on sticking around here that long?” He asked with a smile.
“Absolutely.” My answer was firm and final. I let my arms fall from his shoulders and gave him a bright smile. “Now, show me to my mansion.”
Blake chuckled at my teasing words, but began walking to the cabin. It really was beautiful in its own way. “There are some other cabins up here as well, so we aren’t totally alone.” He pointed in the direction of some trees. “There’s a visitor’s center down that way and there’s even a café near it.”
“Probably not as good as Anne-Marie’s,” I joked.
“No one’s is as good as Anne-Marie’s,” he replied back with a laugh. “Still, I just want you to know we’re not completely alone out here.”
I smiled at his attempts to make me feel secure and followed him to the door. When he opened it, I was expecting to see the same rugged décor as the lodge, but I was pleasantly surprised at how modern it was. “Oh.” Blake turned on the lights and I marveled at how flawlessly the modern updates blended with the rustic wooden walls. The living room was open with a large flat screen mounted above the stone fireplace. The couches were curled around it and looked soft and inviting. There was a fur rug in front of it and I couldn’t help but think about how good it might feel to lie naked with Blake on top of it.
“You’d look good in front of the fireplace,” he whispered in my ear. I shivered at the feeling of his warm breath tickling my ear.
“You have got to stop reading my mind,” I said looking up at him with a heated expression. His grin was sharp and hungry, but he turned away instead.
“Let me get that fire going and put our stuff in the bedroom. There should be some food and drinks in the fridge. I was out here last week so most of it should be good. I brought some stuff in the truck too.”
I looked in the direction he was walking, but didn’t follow. Instead I moved to the kitchen. There was a large island and four barstools on the living room side of it. The appliances were stainless and gleamed in the light and the cabinets were a dark wood color. I let my fingers slide along the cool granite counter tops. I could hear Blake walking back out to the truck, but something beyond the balcony doors caught my eye. I walked towards it and unlocked the door stepping out onto the deck.