by AC Netzel
Unfortunately, it smells the same too.
Nick is standing with his back to me behind the counter. The refrigerator door is wide opened as he arranges plastic containers of bait, I guess, inside. “Be with you in a sec,” he says, never looking back.
My heart leaps at the sound of his voice. I’m bursting with emotions… thrilled, terrified, and everything in-between as I gaze at the man who plays for keeps and kept my heart.
Strolling up to the counter by the cash register, I look down at the glass case and smile when I spot dozens of fishing flies displayed. It reminds me of when Nick walked me through my feather frustration and taught me how to tie one.
“What can I do for…” He closes the fridge door and turns, freezing in his spot when he sees me.
“Hi, Nick,” I say meekly.
“It’s you.”
“It’s me.” I give him a tight smile. I want to leap over this glass case and kiss him, but I keep my grabby emotions at bay.
“What…” He frowns, taking a few steps forward until there’s just the counter between us. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you.”
“Why?” he asks suspiciously. He walks around the counter and stops in front of me. His barriers are up, but I try to look beyond it.
Sticking my trembling hands in my coat pocket, I hide the fact that I’m seconds away from a panic attack. My knees are weak from his close proximity. He smells intoxicatingly good, so much like… him.
“I wanted to give you new information about the land next to you,” I explain.
“So, tell me.” He’s distant, his expression stoic. I study his handsome face, the face that has starred in my dreams for weeks. He’s guarded, and I know it’s with good reason.
“The condo project has been canceled.”
He stares at me skeptically, folding his arms over his chest. “What’s the catch?”
“Why do you think there’s a catch?”
“There always is.”
“Not this time,” I assure him. “There’s a gentleman named Chase Harrison I did business with long before I ever stepped foot in Arid Falls. He wanted a place for him and his extended family to meet, outside of Manhattan. Kind of like the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port.”
“What does that have to do with here? The land your company owns is far too big for one house.”
“Mr. Harrison is a wealthy man. I mean filthy rich wealthy. But he’s also a good man. And lonely. I knew this town and the people who live here would be a perfect fit for him. He came here last week with his two daughters. They adored this place. They fell in love with the land, the lake, and all of Arid Falls.”
“I think I saw him at Merry’s diner. We had a long conversation about bob houses. Tall, gray hair, walks with a cane?”
“That’s him. He wanted to check out the property and the town on his own, without my company’s influence.”
“Like I said, what’s the catch? That spot’s acres and acres of land.”
“He’s not only building a main house which will be enormous—but tastefully done to compliment the lakefront’s rustic aesthetic. He’s also building five smaller cottages for his children and their families when they visit. It’s completely private property. No rentals. No retail outlets. No clubhouse. No extra traffic.”
“What’s in it for him?” he asks skeptically.
“He gets to spend time with his family.”
“That’s it?”
“Isn’t that everything?” I ask.
He cocks his head to the side, considers all I’ve disclosed, then nods. “I suppose it is.”
“They break ground in the Spring.”
“Okay. Well, thanks for the update,” he says aloofly.
“It’s… um,” I look down to the worn wooden floor then back up at him. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Yeah, you too. Have a safe trip home.”
Is he dismissing me? Tiny pieces of my heart break off inside my chest. I pictured a warmer welcome back than the chilly reception I’ve gotten. He hasn’t touched me, not even a peck on the cheek. Maybe I’ve built a fantasy in my head based on a couple of flirty days and two incredible nights.
“How’s Noelle?” I ask.
“She’s fine.”
“Tell her I said hi.”
“If you don’t mind, I think I’ll pass. She liked you. I don’t want to get her hopes up that she’ll see you again.”
I stare down at the floor again, distressed and disappointed. Holly was wrong. So were my optimistic visions of our reunion. He doesn’t seem the least bit interested in me. He hasn’t even cracked a smile since I walked through the door.
“I can hang around until she’s out of school,” I offer.
“Why are you here?” he asks bluntly.
“To tell you in person about the new land development deal.”
He takes a step closer until we’re practically touching. The electricity, the current that sizzles between us, is stronger than ever. “We both know that wasn’t necessary. Why did you really come here?”
Our gazes meet, his brilliant blue eyes locked on mine. I swallow away the lump in my throat.
“I just told you.” Until I get a sense of how he feels, I’m not showing my cards.
“I’m asking you one more time. Why, Summer?”
“You know why,” I whisper.
There it is.
I said everything in my heart without saying a thing.
Gazing into my eyes, he studies me. I look back at him, my eyes pleading with him to understand that admitting it is hard for me. I fight back my tears as disappointment replaces my wishful thinking.
His expression softens as the harsh lines across his forehead disappear. There’s a gentleness in his eyes… a tenderness that still touches my soul. And for the first time since I entered this shop, I see him—the real Nick—the warm, kind, wonderful man I left a month ago.
“No,” he teases. “I don’t know why.”
He lifts a hand and skims my bottom lip with his thumb. A small whimper escapes from the back of my throat as my heart and soul stirs. His touch awakens the tingling sensations throughout my body.
“I needed a fishing pole?” I half-shrug.
“Nope.”
“Bucket of worms?”
“Try again, Sloane.” He shakes his head while biting down on his bottom lip, preventing a smile.
“Okay. I came to tell you something else.”
“So, tell me.” His voice is velvety smooth.
“Last time I was here, you said you play for keeps. Well, you kept something.”
“What did I keep?” He caresses my cheek with the back of his hand. I reach up and hold his hand in place, momentarily closing my eyes.
I open my eyes and gaze up at him. “A piece of me.”
“Do you want it back?” he asks.
I shake my head, never breaking eye contact. “I don’t know what my five-year plan is anymore. I don’t know what I’m going to do or where I’m going to be. But there is one thing I hope…”
“What?”
“I hope it’s with you.”
“Then tell me.”
“I thought I just did.”
He shakes his head with a smile he’s trying and failing miserably at concealing. “Anything else you want to tell me?”
“You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?” I ask, twirling my hair around my index finger.
“Yup.” He nods, clearly amused.
“Okay, fine. I like you. A lot.”
“And…”
“I hope you still like me.”
“And…” He arches a sly brow.
“I missed you,” I tell him.
“And…”
“And I hope you missed me too.”
He leans down and brushes his lips softly against mine, then kisses me—so tenderly, so utterly divine, my toes curl. Every part of my body tenses then slowly relaxes.
“What to
ok you so long?” he murmurs, pressing his soft lips to my skin.
Tears roll down my cheeks as relief, joy, and hope bloom inside me. “I wished I was back here every day.”
“I’m glad you finally are.” He kisses me again, and I melt into his arms. “I missed you too.”
For the first time in over a month, I feel at peace—like I’m finally home. Reexperiencing Nick’s touch, his beautiful smile, his sense of humor, and how he sets my heart soaring with just a glance makes me realize that my dad was right.
This kind, wonderful, sexy man with his arms wrapped around me just may be my ‘what if’.
“Nick?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you still have the last condom, the one we didn’t use? I mean, I know it’s been a month. I’d understand if you used…”
His lips crash into mine, immediately halting my words. He kisses me deeply, passionately, possessively. He holds me tighter, and I feel his smile against my cheek.
“I do,” he whispers in my ear.
I pull away, look up at him, and grin. “I’m very happy to hear that.”
“Do you want to use it?” he asks, amused.
Blushing, I nod.
“With me?” he teases.
“Only you.”
“I’m very happy to hear that. How long are you staying?” He nuzzles my neck with featherlight kisses.
“I took off a week. If things go the way I think they will, I might have to extend my time here.”
“Extend it to what?”
“To as long as it takes for you to sell this house to me.”
He looks at me and smiles. “I’m never selling it.”
“I know.” I smile back and kiss him. “That’s what I’m counting on.”
The End
Epilogue
Eleven months later
“Wear the boots tonight,” Nick murmurs in my ear.
“What boots?”
His eyes rake boldly up and down my body, and he lifts a sly brow.
“Oh.” My cheeks heat up, and I smile. “Those boots.”
“I plan on living out all the fantasies of you in those boots I had last year at the dance but couldn’t act on. And this time, I’m going to kiss you.”
“That’s only if I let you.”
“You will.”
“You’re pretty sure of yourself, Snowman.”
“Mrs. Snow, I’m going to fuck you so good tonight.”
My heart flutters, and I grin. We’ve been married for two months. It was by far the best decision of my life. A week after saying our wedding vows, we went straight to family court with Noelle, a photo of her parents in hand, and officially adopted her. All her parents were present—here on earth… and in spirit.
My ‘what if’ became ‘why not,’ and I never looked back. I retired the clipboard, and the vacation week I took turned into a lifetime.
Happy doesn’t begin to describe how I feel. I’m lucky and thankful to live this wonderful life in this charmingly eccentric Christmas-obsessed town with my amazing husband and feisty daughter.
“You are so bad,” I tell him.
“You wouldn’t want me any other way.”
“No.” I give him a quick peck on his lips. “I wouldn’t.”
“What time is Valerie scheduled to arrive?”
“In about two hours.” I turn to the kitchen corkboard and add the newest piece of Noelle’s artwork to our growing collection of drawings and family photos. It’s a picture of me with long, flowing yellow hair… and my Lucky Choos. The scent of fresh markers still on the paper.
“How did you convince Val to go to the barn dance tonight? She looked mortified when she was here for our wedding.”
“It was easy. I haven’t told her yet.”
“That’s going to go over well.” He laughs. “I’m going to the shop for a while. Jeb’s stopping by to help with some wood trim work.”
“I’m so glad you finally agreed to convert the bait and tackle shop to a café and show off your talents.”
“I have lots of talents,” he winks then kisses me tenderly, “Sloane.” My heart flutters. Calling me ‘Sloane’ is always a prelude to sex. Always.
I wrap my arms around him and kiss him again because I can’t get enough of this man and his dirty promises.
“Oh Geez,” Noelle, our nine-year-old teenager, shakes her head as she walks in the kitchen. “Do you two ever stop kissing?”
“What’s up, Sweetie?” I ask as I untangle myself from Nick.
“Cindy Lou is having a sleepover after the barn dance. Can I go?”
“It’s okay with me,” I look at Nick. “You okay with that?”
“Sure.”
“Will you help me do my hair tonight?” she asks me.
“Of course. My friend Val will be here in a little while, she can help too.”
“Val? The one who was dancing on top of a table at your wedding?”
One too many shots of Jeb’s moonshine will do that to you.
“She was just enjoying herself,” I dismiss.
“She was plastered,” Nick adds with amusement.
I turn to him and scowl.
“What does that mean?” Noelle asks.
“It means she was full of joy,” I answer, never taking my scowl away from Nick.
“Yeah. Whatever. I’m going to my room.” She turns and heads to the staircase.
“See you later.”
“That’s my cue to leave,” Nick tells me.
“Okay, I’m going to do a little writing until Val gets here. I have a story to finish up for The Arid Falls Times.”
“What’s this one about?”
“The land Chase Harrison donated to build Christmas Chrysanthemum Park has it’s ribbon-cutting ceremony next week.”
Nick nods and smiles. “Small price to pay to impress a woman. Faith finally agreed to have dinner with him.”
“He would have built that petting zoo for the alpacas if she held out a little longer.”
He laughs. “Enjoy your writing.” He gives me a quick kiss then heads toward the door.
“Okay, thanks.” I watch my handsome husband walk away, and gratitude fills my soul.
He’s given me so much. His generous heart. Our perfect family. And our loving home in this peculiar little town.
“Hey Nick,” I call out as he’s walking away.
“Yeah?” He stops and turns to me.
“Thank you for marrying me.”
“Thank you for saying yes.”
“I love you,” I mouth. Sometimes I’m so overwhelmed with how deeply I’m in love with him—the man who gave me everything I didn’t know I needed. The man who offered his heart and waited for me to keep it.
He studies me for a quick beat then smiles—a beautiful, warm smile that makes my heart flutter. “I love you too.”
“If it isn’t Summer Snow,” Val says sarcastically as I open my front door.
“Will there ever be a day where you don’t address me by my full name?” I ask, grabbing her suitcase from her hand and place it down.
“Not a chance. Your married name is comedy gold. Summer Snow… bwah! I’m all over that shit.”
“You have fun with that.”
“Have been for a while now.”
“Anyway, I’m glad you could make it.” I wrap my arms around her and give her a tight squeeze. “This Christmas week is going to be amazing.”
“This town doesn’t gather around a giant tree on Christmas Day, hold hands, and sing weird songs like those Who peeps in that old Christmas special… do they?”
“No, we don’t.”
“Oh, thank God.”
“But we do go door to door caroling.”
“Think I’ll sit that one out.”
“Don’t be like that… it’s fun. Just make sure you dress in layers. I have an extra pair of snow boots if you didn’t bring any.”
“I bought myself a pair of Timberlakes,” she states proudly.
“Timberlands,” I correct. “Timberlake is a singer. Timberlands are boots.”
“Tomato, potato.”
“It’s not the same thing. And you didn’t even try to make that sound different.”
“Whatever. Where’s the Lumberstud?”
“Working on the new café with his friend, Jeb.”
“Jeb? The ambassador of flannel shirts? The Lumberdud?”
“Don’t call him that. He’s a great guy.”
“He’s weird. At your wedding, he kept looking at me like he was going to make me into a soup or something.”
“He was not. I think he’s intrigued by you. God only knows why.” I shake my head. “Anyway, you were dancing together at the end of the night.”
“No, the five shots of moonshine I swallowed and the Lumberdud were dancing together. Sane me hid in the back of my brain.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, okay. Want to know what I think?”
“Not particularly.”
“I think you like him,” I tell her anyway.
“I think you’ve been hitting the eggnog a little hard this morning,” she answers back.
“He’s a great guy, Val.”
“You already said that. Why do you keep telling me this?”
“Because I want you happy.”
“I don’t need a man in my life to be happy.”
“You’re right. You don’t need a man. But I think you want one. Specifically, that one.”
“I have a man. I see him twice a week.”
“Valerie, if you’d give up on your chiropractor who only looks at you as his patient—maybe you’ll find a man who actually cares about something more than your neck and spine health. And you won’t have to dish out a copay to spend time with him.”
“Well, if my Chiro were here, he could help me with the damn crick in my neck from that uncomfortable airplane seat.” She rubs the back of her neck with her hand. “When’s your dad coming in?” she asks, changing the subject.
“Tomorrow.”
“Is he bringing his girlfriend?”
“He is. They’re adorable together, like two lovesick teenagers.”
“Are they staying here too?”
“No. They decided to stay at The Holly Inn.”
“Why?”