“Oh.” Rubbing the back of his neck, Colt cleared his throat. “Well, uh, just that it seems he’s changed.”
A murmur of disbelief wove through the crowd. Connie glanced at Allison, whose jaw was hanging as low as her own.
“And?” Sadie prompted.
Colt groaned. “Princess…”
Casually anchoring one hand on her hip, Sadie merely waited. The woman knew she had him wrapped around her finger.
He threw up his hands, and turned to face the crowd. “Look, it’s not that I like the guy, but he’s not as big an asshole as I thought. He genuinely likes coaching your kids, and he’s putting in the time and money to improve safety standards at his business.” Bending down, he came nose to nose with his fiancée. “Happy?”
“Ecstatic.” Winding her arms around his neck, she kissed his cheek.
“Touching as that is,” David interrupted, his voice dry, “maybe someone can explain what the hell is going on? Why is McCoy defending me? And why do I need defending?”
Connie drank the sight of him in. Standing in front of the balloon race booth, David tilted his golden head to the side, his eyes narrowed. His shirt sleeves were rolled up and smudged with dirt. Mud clung to the knees of his slacks. And in one hand he held the end of his red silk tie. The other end was knotted around Milo’s collar.
Milo snorted, and twisted his neck to try to bite his new leash. David casually lifted his tie out of reach, the movement so natural it must have been honed through repetition. He gazed around the crowd, but his eyes never met Connie’s.
Sue stepped forward and gave Milo a scratch behind his ear. The little traitor turned his head and leaned into her touch. “I was just expressing my surprise that our opposing counsel would behave so badly.” Sue laid her hand on David’s arm. “Good job getting Ms. Wilkerson disqualified. When you set your sights on a goal, you put your whole mind and body into it, don’t you?”
David’s face shuttered. He shrugged off Sue’s hand. “What are you talking about?”
Throwing her head back, Sue laughed, a musical tinkle that grated against Connie’s eardrums. “You, taking one for the team, so to speak. When I told you to get cozy with our opposing counsel, I didn’t think you were onboard with the idea. Glad to see you changed your mind.”
David’s eyes flared, and finally he looked at Connie. A muscle ticked in his jaw.
Allison put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. Connie appreciated the support, but she didn’t need it. Everyone else in Pineville could believe what they wanted about David, but she knew better. Their relationship hadn’t been some sick plot to win a case. Stepping out from behind the cotton candy booth, she headed for David.
She didn’t make it five steps before his harsh voice froze her to the spot. “I didn’t sleep with her. I don’t even like her.”
Her heart stuttered, before pumping into overdrive. David was ten feet away, his back ramrod straight, his chin tilted to the same arrogant angle as that first day at the courthouse. A sneer curled around his lips, one that Connie felt deep in her belly.
She kicked herself. It was so obvious now. His attitude. His contempt. It was an act; it had always been an act. She’d just been too stupid to see it. Until now.
She closed the distance between them. “It’s okay. I already admitted it to everyone.” Milo bumped his head into her hip, looking for some love, and she rubbed his chin, seeking comfort as much as giving it. She sucked in a deep breath, and looked into David’s piercing blue eyes. “I know you’re trying to protect me, but I’m done pretending.”
He shifted, putting his body between her and the stares. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “But Connie—”
Taking his hand, she squeezed. “It’s okay. You’re a good man, David Carelli, and I’m proud to be with you.”
“Shit.” Wrapping his arm around her, he dragged Connie into his hard body and buried his nose in the crook of her neck. “When you say things like that…” He cleared his throat. “I’m so sorry. Your career…”
“Is probably over.” A cold fist clamped around her heart and squeezed. Resting her head on David’s shoulder, she breathed him in. The scent of his cologne mixed with sweat and earth, a surprisingly pleasant combination. Complex, like the man holding her. And reassuring. She’d get through being disbarred if David held her like this every night. It would hurt, watching all her hard work slip away, but she’d get through it.
“What the hell is this?” A frown dented the skin above Sue’s nose. Her gaze bounced between Connie and David, confusion so apparent in her features Connie almost felt bad for her. Almost. “You fell for her?”
David squeezed Connie tighter. His grip on Milo’s leash hadn’t relaxed, and the motion dragged the goat into their legs. Milo bleated in protest, but David ignored him. “Yep. I fell for the opposition.” Raising his head, he brushed his lips across Connie’s before pulling back. “But make no mistake, Sue. If Connie goes down, you go down. I’m not sure what man Colt was talking about earlier, but I’m still the asshole of Pineville and I will make you pay if you hurt her.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Lee weaved his way through the crowd, Maureen and his kids at his side. The sling was gone, and he held his arm stiffly against his body. He nodded to David. “I agree with Colt. That’s why I’ve decided to stick with Carelli Construction.”
David held out his hand and grinned when his foreman clapped his own hand in it. “That, and because of the raise I offered you,” David said.
“That didn’t hurt.” Lee tangled his fingers in his bushy beard and stared at Sue like she was slime on the bottom of his shoe. “We all like Connie, and no one wants to see her career over before it’s begun. You want your new shelter built, you should take care who you tick off.”
Sue crossed her arms over her chest. “There are other firms besides Carelli Construction.”
“Better Builders won’t touch your project, either,” Colt said. “And I’m friends with the other local contractors. They’re all real busy.”
Sue’s nostrils flared. Digging her fingers into her arms, she gazed around the crowd. She didn’t find any support. “Joe? You’ve got to be angry. Your lawyer slept with the man you’re suing. If that doesn’t warrant a complaint with the Michigan Bar, I don’t know what does.”
Miss Eugenie pushed her way through the group, towing Judge Nichols behind her. The older man looked baffled at the scene playing out, until he heard the bit about Connie sleeping with David. His bushy white eyebrows shot up under his hairline. He looked between Connie and David, and pursed his lips.
Heat licked up Connie’s back and neck. The judge had been kind to her. Always encouraging her in her law studies. What would he think about her now?
“Now look here—” Miss Eugenie started.
Joe stepped forward. “Thanks for your concern about my emotional state, Sue, but I agree with Colt and Lee. And I think the rest of CCWP will, too. I don’t want another attorney.”
Miss Eugenie tugged at the rim of her pink cloche hat, glaring at Joe for interrupting her. Judge Nichols patted her arm, leaned forward, and whispered something in her ear. He turned to face Connie and David. “Can someone please explain to me what is going on? I’ve come into this discussion late.”
Sue clenched her hands into fists. “Just the man I wanted to talk to. We have a problem with one of the attorneys involved in our case.”
“There’s no problem.” David tucked Connie into his side. “And no case. Not anymore.”
“What?” Connie and Sue asked together.
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Pushing Milo’s head away from his belt buckle, David turned to Connie. “I talked with the board of the Crook County Animal Shelter. They’ve agreed to a different site.” Sue opened her mouth, and he cut her a look. “And since they are Sue’s bosses, what they say goes.”
“I don’t believe you.” Sue shook her head. “They liked our new location.�
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“They like the deal I’m offering them more.” He faced the judge. “We came to an agreement. I’m donating a piece of vacant land I own outside of town for their use. They’ll sell the lot downtown and use the proceeds to help fund the shelter’s operations. Since the shelter will no longer be on Willow Street, I assume the lawsuit disappears.”
Judge Nichols rocked back on his heels. “That’s usually how it works.” Cupping an elbow with one hand, he tapped his lips with his other. “The two of you, huh?” He shook his head, his white hair ruffling in the breeze. “I didn’t see that one coming.”
Sue pushed past Connie, knocking her into David. Milo paused, a hank of red silk between his teeth. Satisfied David wasn’t going to fall onto him, the goat went back to his task.
Stopping inches from the judge, Sue poked a finger in his direction. “What about the ethics violation? Lawyers can’t go around sleeping with the other side!”
“There’s no specific prohibition,” Judge Nichols said. He winked at Connie. “But I wouldn’t make a habit out of it.”
Sue ground her jaw. “I’m still filing a complaint.”
“You go right ahead, dear.” Judge Nichols picked up Miss Eugenie’s hand and tucked it under his elbow. “But if Miss Wilkerson’s clients and the presiding judge don’t back you up, you’ll be wasting your time.” He steered Miss Eugenie around the cotton candy booth. “What do you say to a hot dog?” he asked before disappearing into the crowd.
David cupped Connie’s cheek, and the rest of the world faded away. “It looks like you have a long career ahead of you. I know you’re moving to Detroit, but this isn’t goodbye.”
“That’s something I want to talk to you about. I—”
“We’ll make it work.” David’s lips firmed into a determined line. “I can base Carelli Construction’s home office anywhere. I don’t like the idea of a long distance relationship. If you want to move, I’ll move with you.” His thumb brushed across her lips. “That is if you want me to.”
“No, I don’t want you to.” Connie kept her expression even for as long as she could. It wasn’t long. He looked too crushed to tease for more than a few seconds. “I don’t want you to move because I don’t want to move. I’m going to turn the offer down.”
Hands tingling, she grabbed him at the hips and pulled him close. She needed to hold on to something, because with her decision made, the right decision, she felt as weightless as a helium balloon. And David made a very sexy anchor to attach herself to.
His eyes darkened. “You’re staying.” She nodded, and lifted her lips an inch closer to his. “And you’re staying with me.”
Neither of his statements sounded like questions, more like orders, but she answered just the same. “Yes.”
His breath danced over her lips. “And no more secret relationships.”
“The ship has not only set sail on that, but—”
His mouth swallowed the rest of her sentence. He wound her ponytail around his hand and tipped her head back, deepening the kiss. The sounds of the midway narrowed to a faint buzz. His mouth was hot and victorious, his lips taking what they wanted, giving her what she needed. She melted against him.
Chest heaving, he lifted his head and stared into her eyes. “So it’s official. We’re a couple.” She nodded, too out of breath to speak. He smiled. “Crazy Connie is finally mine.”
Pushing against his chest, she playfully waved her fist. He laughed, and raised his hands. The laugh broke off when he noticed the ragged end of his red silk tie dangling from his grip. No goat attached.
He spun around. Milo was nowhere in sight. “Son of a bitch! We are microchipping your damn goat.”
“He likes his freedom.” She shrugged, and searched around the food booths. “Help me find him again, and I’ll make it worth your while.”
David stalked after her. “Is that so? What exactly are you proposing?”
Bending over to look under a covered table, she smiled when she heard David growl. She bent over a little farther before straightening. “A free cone of cotton candy?”
He sucked his bottom lip into his mouth. “Was that what you were eating? You tasted sweet.” She nodded, and he prowled closer. “I don’t want the candy. I want to taste you. Find out how much of your body is covered with sugar.”
Connie backed into a beer truck, and David pressed his palms flat on its surface by her head. The look in his eye was a wicked promise, and excitement zipped up her spine. She loved how he made her feel. Wanted. Cherished. Beautiful.
But she couldn’t let him have his prize that easily.
Ducking under his arm, she sprinted away. “Have to find Milo first!”
Laughing, he followed her, racing past the dunk booth and a sopping wet Jerome, collapsing in laughter against the bounce house. They searched under the floats parked on the street, and by the stage where the committee was announcing one of its own members, Sue, as Citizen of the Year.
David stumbled to a stop, a scowl crossing his face.
Connie rubbed his shoulder. “I’m sorry you didn’t win. Are you okay?”
“Of course I’m okay.” He took her hand and squeezed. “It might take me longer to impress Jed Washington and land my deal, but I’ll get it.” He jerked his head toward the stage. “But talk about a conflict of interest. Sue has some nerve going after you when she’s on the committee that handed out that award.”
“It’s just a local award,” Connie said. “It’s not that big a deal that they voted for one of their own.”
He grumbled some more.
Tugging on his hand, she dragged David away. “You’re awfully cute when you’re indignant, but we have better things to spend our energy on.”
He lifted one eyebrow, his expression devilish. “Cute, huh?” Stepping close, he brushed his fingertips down her spine. “When you say ‘better things to spend our energy on,’ you mean—”
Shivering, she said, “Finding Milo, of course.” She bit back her smile when he grumbled at her answer.
“Fine.” David shrugged. He raised an eyebrow, and shot her a look of wide-eyed innocence. “Let’s go check Miss Eugenie’s begonias. If Milo’s smart, he’ll find his way home.”
“That would leave us conveniently close to my house. And the bedroom inside.”
Tucking his fingers in the waistband of her jeans, he tugged her against him, his body hot against her stomach. He lowered his mouth to her ear. “Can’t get one past you. I like that.”
Connie liked that, too. David was a challenge. A relationship with him wouldn’t be easy. But it would be a hell of a lot of fun.
He rested his forehead against hers, his breath soft against her cheek. “I hate to say this, but your stupid goat and I have something in common. I’m finding my way home, too. You’re it for me, Connie. You’re my home.”
Connie wrapped her arms around his shoulders and held on tight. She’d never been anyone’s home before. The idea was thrilling and comforting and terrifying. But she wasn’t worried. In his arms, even the scary parts weren’t so bad. Because in his arms, she’d found her home, too.
She breathed the scent of him in and issued David a new challenge. “How about, first one to catch Milo wins…” She whispered something naughty in his ear.
“Holy shit.” David dragged her to the street and toward his car. His feet were moving so fast his shoes barely touched the ground. “Did I ever tell you how much I love your goat?”
Connie laughed. David and Milo and her. An unlikely family.
Life couldn’t get more perfect.
Allyson Charles lives in Northern California. She’s the author of the contemporary romances Putting Out Old Flames and The Christmas Tree (Kensington Lyrical). A former attorney, she happily ditched those suits and now works in her pajamas writing about men’s briefs instead of legal briefs. When she’s not writing, she’s probably engaged in one of her favorite hobbies: napping, eating, or martial arts
(That last one almost makes up for the first two, right?). One of Allyson’s greatest disappointments is living in a state that doesn’t have any Cracker Barrels in it.
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Too Hot To Handle
Jane Willoughby has a temper. Sure, in her day job answering calls for 911, she can keep her head no matter what the emergency. But when her ex appears on her doorstep on her first sick day in years, expecting her to act happy he’s her co-chair for the annual fireman’s ball, she feels a little righteous wrath is justified.
Chance McGovern broke up with her with a greeting card, for crying out loud. He doesn’t get to just sprout some washboard abs and put on a uniform and behave like any other tasty firefighter.
Jane has no idea what’s happened to Chance in the last nine years—and no interest in finding out. Not even a teeny-tiny spark. No matter how hot he is. Or how well he remembers the little things that make her laugh, and cry, and spontaneously combust.
And she’s going to be working with him one-on-one. At least there’s a fireman on call . . .
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Decorating With The Grinch
It was one little fender bender. Sadie was only in picturesque Pineville, Michigan, for a day, trying to handle the ramshackle house her grandmother left her and juggle the sale of her failing design business at the same time. Her debtors don’t care that it’s almost Christmas. But then neither does the big bad contractor whose truck got squashed.
Why Did It Have to Be You? Page 25