She didn’t know. All she knew was that her life wouldn’t be nearly as bright without him. Actually, bright was an understatement. She’d come to rely on Austin in ways she shouldn’t. He was one of her best friends, and she couldn’t imagine the future without him.
She might even love him.
She sucked in a breath at the thought. No, the idea was crazy. And now wasn’t the time to deal with it. First she had to figure out Briar.
Finally, she reached Austin’s bungalow—a small cottage with a loft that served as a bedroom and a large wooded lot surrounding it. She hopped off her bike and darted toward the front door, anxious to see Austin for herself.
Before she reached the door, Cassidy stepped outside and stopped her.
“Is he okay? What happened?” The questions rushed from Skye as she tried to read the expression on Cassidy’s face.
Cassidy gripped her arm, her voice calm and reassuring. “Austin’s going to be fine. It could have been much worse. He just has a few scrapes and bruises.”
“What happened?” Skye willed her heart to slow, but it wouldn’t. Not until she saw Austin for herself.
“He was working four stories up when his scaffolding malfunctioned,” Cassidy said. “He fell, but, thankfully, landed in the marsh. If he hadn’t . . . well, it would be a different story right now. Someone was watching out for him.”
Thank God he’d landed in the marsh. Cassidy was right. He might not have survived otherwise.
“I want to see him,” Skye said.
Cassidy released Skye’s arm. “Of course. He’s inside. And he’s being stubborn. See if you can get him to take some pain meds and lie low for the rest of the day. Neither Ty nor I had any luck.”
Skye nodded, even though she barely heard the words. She skirted past Cassidy and through the front door. Finally, her gaze fell on Austin. He really was alive and okay.
Austin stood from the couch, his motions stiff as he rose to greet her. Skye stepped close, something fierce and strong gripping her heart. Concern? Worry? Love?
She stopped just short of being in Austin’s arms and studied him, making sure she’d understood Cassidy correctly. His bicep was wrapped in gauze. A cut was together by butterfly bandages on his forehead. Another cut sliced across his neck.
Skye reached forward and started to touch it but stopped herself.
Suddenly, she was all too aware of how close she’d stepped to Austin. Of how easy it would be to reach up and touch him. To kiss him. To show him all the emotions she felt inside. To let him know how much she cared.
But those desires were quickly met by memories from her past.
“You gave me a good scare.” Her voice trembled as she stared up at him.
“I had a good scare myself.” He stared back at her, a strange yet compelling look in his eyes. A look that connected them, that somehow drew them together.
“I’m so glad you’re okay, Austin,” she practically whispered. She wasn’t sure where all the feelings were coming from or why they were rushing to the surface right now. She only knew that she never wanted to lose this man. Never.
Chapter Eight
Skye reached her arms around Austin and pulled him into a hug. As his arms circled around her, his touch sent shivers up her spine.
She rested her head on his chest, relishing the feel of his heart pounding against her face. She took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of sweat and sawdust and minty aftershave. The combination was fantastic.
But she had to get a grip. She couldn’t let her emotions supersede logic.
She stepped back and cleared her throat. “What happened exactly?”
Austin’s face fell with . . . disappointment? Or was she reading too much into things?
Whatever had gone wrong was a big deal. This wasn’t the Austin she knew. The Austin Skye knew was strong and nearly invincible. This accident had taken a toll on him.
“I was over at the Seagull Palace replacing some shingles. I’ve been working on it for the past few days.”
“That’s that huge house, right?” She glanced behind him at the couch, realizing Austin needed to sit down. Taking his arm, Skye led him to the sofa and gently shoved him until he got comfortable on the cushions.
“Bossy much?”
“Only when it comes to important stuff. Now, continue.” She sat beside him and grabbed his hand.
“Yes, Seagull Palace is tall. Really tall. Four stories and on stilts. Anyway, my scaffolding was set up, just like it always is. I checked it before I climbed up. I don’t know what happened, but one of the legs collapsed, and the whole thing went down.”
Skye closed her eyes as she pictured it playing out. “Where were you when it happened?”
“On the top.”
She squeezed his hand harder as the implications of his statement washed over her. “You could have died.”
Austin didn’t deny her words. “You’re right. I could have. But, by the grace of God, I didn’t. I only have a few cuts and bruises. I’ll be sore tomorrow, for sure.”
“Doc Clemson checked you out?”
“He did. He said I’m fine.”
Austin wiped her cheeks with the back of his fingers again.
Skye hadn’t even realized she’d started crying.
Austin released a soft, teasing chuckle. “If I’d known getting hurt would make me feel so special, I would have gotten injured a long time ago.”
Skye swatted his chest, thankful that he was trying to lighten the moment. “Stop it. I had worst-case scenarios going through my mind.”
His smile slipped. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”
She wiped the rest of the moisture from her cheeks, straightened, and drew in a deep breath, as if she were pulling herself together. “I guess you’re not going to be able to show me your surprise tonight.”
“Says who?”
“Everyone would say that. You need to rest after your accident.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m fine.” He reached to the table beside him, grabbed his car keys, and handed them to Skye. “Besides, you could drive, if that would make you feel better.”
She raised her eyebrows. “You’d trust me with your truck?”
He loved his truck and wasn’t the type to let other people drive it.
“Of course I would,” he said.
She remained quiet a moment before finally nodding slowly. “Okay, then. Where are we going?”
“I’ll tell you when we get there.” Pleasure rippled through his voice.
“You’re a tease. Have I ever told you that before?”
“More than once.” He smiled.
“You’re sure you’re up for doing this?”
“I’m positive. A little ride in my truck isn’t going to hurt anything.”
Finally, Skye nodded. “Okay, then. Let’s go.”
Austin had seen it in Skye’s eyes.
She cared for him just as much as he cared about her. She might not admit it. She might not be ready for a relationship. But she cared about him.
That realization brought Austin a surge of delight.
There was no one else he’d rather be with right now. He wanted his future to be with Skye, and he was tired of pretending like he didn’t.
He glanced at her as she drove his goliath of a truck down the highway. The darkness of early evening had begun to spread across the sky outside. Skye’s hair shone every time they passed a street light. Her pleasant profile looked determined as she stared at the road ahead.
This was what he wanted. Forever. Him and Skye.
“Turn here,” he said
She followed his directions and turned down a gravel road. The headlights showed scraggily bushes and trees on either side of the truck as they bumped farther down the road.
Skye didn’t seem to mind. She didn’t flinch or show any fear or distrust.
The woman was a mystery like that. Sometimes fearful and insecure, and other times brave and fearless. It fascinated him.
>
“Stop here,” he told her.
She pressed the brakes and stared out the front window. A wrinkle of confusion formed between her eyes. “It’s a house. Or, a shack, I should say.”
Austin smiled and climbed from the truck, ignoring the way his body ached from the fall. There were more important things to concentrate on right now. “Come on.”
Skye gave him a skeptical look before climbing out and joining him in the beams of the headlights. He took her hand, and she didn’t pull away as he led her up the front steps and unlocked the door. He stepped inside and flicked on the lights.
The musty, old cottage came into view.
Skye glanced around, her gaze stretching up to the cathedral ceiling and back down to the ugly carpet. “Wow, I have to say that I have no earthly idea what to think of this surprise.”
Austin smiled at the dry tone of her voice. “This is mine.”
She turned toward him, her gaze full of questions. “You have a place that’s nicer than this.”
He nodded, unable to argue, and looked back at the house. “I don’t plan on living here. I’m going to fix it up.”
“And sell it?”
“Or rent it.”
Skye released his hand and took a step forward, her head angled upward as she soaked in all the details. “The place has good bones.”
Yes, it did. Three bedrooms. Two stories. Outdated. Neglected. But it had tons of potential.
“That’s what I thought too. Sure, it needs to be fixed up. But this could be some place great. A place where families can make memories and relax and breathe as they get away from the stress of their normal lives.”
“I agree. It has a lot of possibilities.” She stopped her perusing and turned back to him. “This sounds like a great opportunity for you, but I’m not sure what this has to do with me.”
Austin wanted to pour out his dreams of marrying her. Of taking on projects like this together. But that might send Skye running away from here faster than a prisoner who’d just escaped a life sentence. “I want your vision, Skye.”
“My vision is looking at you right now like you’re crazy.”
He chuckled. He couldn’t resist grabbing her hand and tugging her closer. “No, you’ve got a great eye for decorating and design. And you’re great at doing things on a budget. You take items that other people have discarded, and you make them beautiful. You create artwork out of shells and sticks. I can do the basics here, Skye, but I want your help in making this place inviting.”
Her cheeks flushed. “I would love to do something like that, Austin.”
Satisfaction warmed his chest. “I thought you might.”
“But how would that work? I mean, practically speaking, what are you thinking?”
That we could get married. He didn’t say that. “I have a few projects I need to finish up, and then I want to spend the winter months working here. I thought we could negotiate a flat fee for your services.”
“I have no training,” she reminded him. “Just gut instinct.”
“That’s worth a lot. We could talk about a price that’s fair. You could help me, and it would be a win-win for both of us.”
Austin stared at Skye, watching for her reaction. She looked contemplative but finally a grin stretched across her face.
“I love that idea, Austin.”
His expression mirrored hers. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
As natural as if they’d done it a million times before, Skye flung her arms around his neck in an embrace. They held each other for a few minutes in silence, Austin ignoring his aches and pains and cuts and bruises. He wouldn’t let them ruin this moment.
“What’s this for?” he asked.
“For being you. For this opportunity. For everything.” Gratitude etched her voice.
Austin pressed his head into the top of hers, the words on the tip of his tongue. Words about how much he cared for her and wanted to be more than friends.
Before any of them could leave his lips, Skye raised her head, and their gazes caught.
Something deep passed between them, connecting them.
Austin’s hand cupped her face. His other hand moved from around her waist to her hair and tangled in the locks there. His gaze went to her lips.
But before their lips connected, a noise jerked them from the moment. The sound snapped them back to reality so quickly that Austin felt like he’d touched fire.
Skye backed away, shaking her head. “I’m sorry. Excuse me a minute.”
She reached into her purse and pulled out her phone. Her hands visibly trembled as she put the device to her ear. “Hello?”
Her face went pale as she murmured a few indecipherable things to the person on the other line. Finally, she hit End and turned back to him.
“I’m sorry, Austin, but I’ve got to run.”
His heart panged with disappointment. “Right now?”
Skye nodded, her gaze still apologetic. She touched his arm a moment before slipping her hand back to her side and staring at his chest. “I’m sorry. I really am. But this can’t wait.”
“Is there something I can help you with?”
“No, I have to do this alone.”
His chest throbbed. Why wouldn’t she let him inside her life? What kinds of secrets did she hide in the depths of her luminous brown eyes?
Even more—would she ever trust him enough to share?
Finally, Austin stepped back and nodded. “Okay, then. It’s a good thing your bike is in the back of the truck. I’ll drop you off. Just name the place.”
She seemed to drag her gaze back up to his as she nodded and mumbled, “Thank you.”
Maybe it was better this way—better if they took more time to talk before they dove into something where they both might get hurt.
Chapter Nine
Skye’s heart rate continued to accelerate as Austin drove her toward the beach.
How would Ian react to this conversation? She had no idea.
But she had to ask these questions—no matter what the outcome was.
As Austin pulled to a stop, she stared out the window and shivered. The next thing she knew, Austin had taken off his flannel shirt and handed it to her. “Here, take this. You’re going to get chilly.”
She took the soft piece of clothing from him, gratitude filling her. “Thank you, Austin.”
“I’ll wait here for you.”
“I can just take my bike—”
“I’d feel better if I waited.”
Finally, she nodded. “Okay, then. Thank you.”
With one last glance at Austin, she climbed out.
She hated to do this right now, especially after everything that had happened. First, Austin’s accident. Then his revelation about wanting her help to fix up that house.
She wanted to revel in the possibilities of working with Austin.
If she were honest with herself, she’d admit that what she really wanted, even more than that, was to indulge in thoughts about their almost kiss.
She hadn’t imagined that, had she? No, she hadn’t. If her phone hadn’t rung . . .
But this wasn’t the time for it. Right now, she had other pressing matters.
She made her way toward one of the wooden community swings beneath a pergola that faced the ocean. A few people were out right now, even though it was dark outside.
But there was only one person she focused on—the lone figure on the swing.
Ian.
She’d recognize him anywhere.
Her palms felt sweaty as she lowered herself beside him. But Ian didn’t appear nervous at all. A bright smile lit his face. Then again, he was the kind of person who thrived on conflict—it was just one more reason they were so bad together.
“Hey, beautiful.” He patted the space beside him.
Skye didn’t scoot closer, though. “Thanks for coming.”
“I couldn’t pass up spending more time with you.”
And there he went, being ch
arming and charismatic—all the things that had originally drawn Skye to him. She’d been so lost and alone. He’d been secure and had offered companionship—or, should she say, trouble?
She should have been pickier, though. Why was hindsight always twenty-twenty?
“So, what’s going on, Skye High?”
She’d always hated that nickname. She licked her lips and decided to ignore him and get right to the point. “Do you ever think about our son?”
Ian’s gaze darkened. “Of course I do. Why are you asking?”
“I think about him all the time. I wonder how he’s doing. What he looks like. If he ended up with a good family.”
“I’m sure he’s doing fine. I know it’s probably hard for you, not knowing.”
Skye shifted to face him, willing her voice not to quiver. “It’s more than hard. I’ve regretted my choice every day.”
“I’m sure that’s normal. There’s always some regret involved with things like this. It was a big decision.”
“It’s not normal regret. It’s not regret because I know I made the right choice, even though it was hard. It’s regret because I felt pressured into doing something I didn’t want to do.”
“What are you saying, Skye?” Ian narrowed his eyes and studied her face.
“Your parents kept telling me how I wasn’t in a good place to raise a baby,” she reminded him.
“You weren’t. Neither was I.”
“Your mom told me I wouldn’t be a good mom, and that I was too messed up. That the baby would be better off without me.”
Ian grabbed her hand. “I’m sorry, Skye. I didn’t know.”
“She told me you’d be better off without me. That I created chaos.” Skye’s voice cracked, but she couldn’t stop now. She had to see this through.
“Don’t listen to her. She’s my mom, and I love her. But she’s always been a self-righteous snob.”
Skye stared off at the dark horizon, knowing the ocean was there, even though she couldn’t see it. “Unfortunately, I began to believe her lies. I convinced myself that I couldn’t raise a child and that the baby would be better without me. The thing is, that’s not what I thought. Not until your mom convinced me of it.”
Tides of Deception (Lantern Beach Romantic Suspense Book 1) Page 5