He’d called me Tink, short for Tinkerbell, ever since he’d first met me. I couldn’t really blame him since I called him Grumpy Pants. He thought I was too little bitty to protect myself, and I thought he was grumpier than Captain Hook. But hey, it worked for us.
I rested my head on his shoulder and he leaned his down on top of mine. It felt so right being with him, I never wanted it to end. “I can’t believe it’s January, and I’m thirty, and I’ve lived here for a year.”
“And I can’t believe you still haven’t set a date for our wedding.” His voice was a deep sexy rumble, but the underlying note of concern came through.
I winced and pulled back to look up at him. “It’s not because I don’t want to marry you. Please tell me you know that.”
“Don’t worry.” He tightened his arms around me on a weary sigh. “I get it, because I know you. You’re going to study our horoscopes and the charts and astrology and God knows what else before you find the perfect month, day—hell, hour—for us to get married. I would elope today if you said yes,” I opened my mouth to speak until he held up his hand and continued, “but I want to make you happy.”
My heart melted with love for this man. “I want to make you happy, too.” I wanted to tell him about my fears over having a baby, but I was terrified. It was silly. I knew I could talk to him about anything, yet some part deep inside me froze up every time it came to this topic. “I just want everything to be perfect, and for neither of us to have any regrets. We’re not getting any younger, you know.”
“I’m looking forward to growing old with you. As long as I have you, I don’t need anyone or anything else. I just don’t like all the hoopla. I want you as my wife. End of discussion.”
“You don’t want anything else?” I prodded.
He looked off in the distance as though giving the matter some serious thought, and for a moment, I had hope that he would bring the subject of children up first. Of course, I couldn’t get that lucky.
“A honeymoon where I can have you to myself, someplace far away would be nice,” he finally said, “but other than that, I’m good.” His dark eyes stared intensely at me, a hint of the curiosity and worry returning. “Why, was there something else you wanted?”
“I’ve got you. What more could I possibly want?” I smiled too wide.
He frowned suspiciously.
Morty yowled loudly, appearing from out of nowhere right above us on the couch, and we both jumped apart.
“A honeymoon it is,” I blurted, then narrowed my eyes at Morty. “Alone.”
“Ground rules,” Mitch suddenly said firmly.
“Excuse me?”
“I’ve decided there is something else I want. Ground rules.” He stared warily at my naughty cat. “If the three of us are going to live together peacefully, I think it’s time we establish some rules.”
“But he’s a cat,” I said, trying to be rational.
Mitch smirked at me. “You and I both know he’s much more than that.”
“Really?” I raised my chin a notch. “So, does this mean you’re finally starting to believe I’m more than just a fortune-teller?”
His eyes widened a fraction over his slip, but then his brows drew together slightly as he replied, “Well, I, um… can I plead the Fifth?”
“Sure, as long as well, I, um… can plead the Fifth on ground rules and a wedding date.” I batted my eyelashes at him.
He raised an ink-black brow. “But, that’s not fair.”
I shrugged. “Life’s not fair, Detective. You of all people should know that.” I patted his hand and stood up. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go study my charts.”
I walked out of the room and into my office—Sunny’s Sanctuary—with his heavy sigh following me every step of the way. It was a lame excuse I’d given, and I wasn’t mad about him not being a true believer. After almost losing him, I didn’t really care about that anymore. I’d simply needed any excuse to escape before he asked me what was really bothering me. He was a great detective and he knew me too well, but I was terrified if he knew the truth, he would want something else, all right…
Like to call off our wedding for good.
2
“There’s no way I can do this,” Jo said from behind the mahogany bar of her first baby, Smokey Jo’s Tavern.
“Yes, you can,” I said with a sympathetic smile, though I was just as terrified for her. She was showing so quickly.
“I have three months to go, Sunny.” She pointed to her massive belly. “How much bigger can they possibly get?”
Jo was a tall, voluptuous woman with curves in all the right places, and her husband Cole was a giant of a man. Birthing a set of his twins had to be intimidating, but right now she didn’t need to hear that. What she needed was a friend.
“Stop listening to everyone’s horror stories. If having a baby was that horrible, no one would ever do it again. You’re one of eight children, and you’re a whole lot tougher than your mother. If she can do it, then you surely can.”
“My mother wasn’t married to Sasquatch.”
“Your mother wasn’t an Amazon Queen, either.”
“That’s true.” Jo stood a little straighter and looked more confident by the second. “I am pretty impressive, aren’t I?”
Cole walked through the kitchen door as she said that and wrapped his arms around her from behind, cradling her belly with his palms and wearing a besotted expression of love for them all. “You’re beautiful and amazing and the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.” He kissed the side of her neck.
Jo’s lips tipped up at the corners, and every inch of her turned marshmallow soft. “Flattery will get you everywhere, my darling.”
“I think it already did.” His eyes gentled as they locked onto hers, and he leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips.
I couldn’t stop the sigh from slipping out of my mouth. They were so in love and happy and fabulous together. I suddenly realized I wanted that more than anything. I loved Mitch with all my heart, and he made me ridiculously happy. Having his baby would make my life complete. The question I struggled with was would it make his life fulfilled, or would he be reliving the nightmare of not being able to protect his younger sister? I think that was why I hadn’t been able to talk to him. I’d seen into his past. I knew the horror he’d gone through. Something told me he would never risk going through anything like that again.
Not even for me.
“Earth to Sunny,” Jo said, as if she’d already said it several times. “Where’d you go? You look so sad and a little afraid.”
I blinked. Cole had gone back into the kitchen, and Jo’s cousin Zoe—who was a softer, younger replica of Jo—stood beside her. “When did you get here?”
Zoe laughed. “Wow, you really were somewhere far away. What’s up?”
“Nothing, really.”
“Um, yeah, that’s not happening.” Jo nailed me with a knowing look as she refilled the napkins on the bar. “Spill it.” Being a bartender had given her an uncanny ability to read people and know when to back off and leave them alone or when to step in and lend an ear.
“You know me so well.” I sipped my hot tea, reflecting on my situation.
It was Sunday afternoon. Mitch was home fiddling around in the barn. Things had been strained since our talk. I hated that and without Granny around to fill the silence, I was at a loss as to how to fix the situation.
“My house is too quiet,” I finally explained.
“That’s right. Granny moved in with your parents yesterday.” Zoe helped stock glasses so Jo wouldn’t have to lift anything. “How’s that going?”
“I have no idea,” I replied. “My mother’s already started remodeling. She can’t sit still long enough to retire and is way too uptight to venture out of her comfort zone. Meanwhile, after my father got shot and nearly died, he is all about trying new things and living life to the fullest. Harry and Fiona moved into the inn as well. My father has taken up ice fis
hing with Harry. Lord knows what else is on his bucket list. Granny was right. They need her more than I do.”
“Wait, they are all going to live under the same roof?” Zoe gaped.
“Yes, except I can’t imagine Granny and Fiona as the cooks. The Dynamic Duo might have called a truce, friendship-wise, but they are still both way too competitive for their own good. Meanwhile, Harry and my father are two peas in a pod. Having them in charge of the grounds is fine, if you can keep them away from their bucket list for long enough to tend to anything. Thank goodness Sally Clark stayed on as housekeeper. It would have been too much house for anyone else, and Frank LaLone stayed on as the maintenance man. My father might have a green thumb, but neither he nor Harry are mechanically inclined. If you ask me, there are too many people who will try to be in charge. Something tells me there are going to be more than a few bumps in the road along the way to opening day.”
“It will be interesting to watch, that’s for sure,” Jo said, “but I don’t know about your mother needing Granny more than you do.” She studied me closely. “I can see that something is bothering you, when this should be the happiest time of your life. Your business is booming, there hasn’t been any trouble recently, you’re engaged to a great man, and you finally have the house to yourselves. What more could you possibly want?”
“I know. I’m so lucky,” I said, and then burst into tears.
Jo and Zoe rushed around the bar to flank my sides, and that only made me cry harder. When I was finally finished, I wiped my face with the napkins that had magically appeared in front of me.
“Feel better?” Jo asked with a tender smile.
“Actually, I do.” I laughed.
“Are you ready to tell us what that was all about?” Zoe folded her arms across her chest, becoming more and more like Jo every day.
“I want a baby.”
“That’s wonderful.” Zoe clapped her hands. “I just love babies.”
“Me too, apparently,” I said in wonder, “and I didn’t even realize just how much until today.”
“Wow, I didn’t see that one coming?” Jo’s eyebrows raised so high they disappeared beneath her hairline.
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” My stomach rolled over. “That Mitch won’t see it coming, either.”
Jo covered my hand and squeezed. “Talk to him.”
“I know I have to, but it’s so hard. What if he doesn’t want a baby?”
“He might not,” Jo said honestly. “But it is a discussion you need to have before getting married. Look at me.” She rubbed her enormous belly. “I didn’t think I wanted children, and Cole was scared to death—still is if we’re being completely honest—but we’ve both come to accept and even cherish the little family we’re making. I got lucky. It could have been so much worse if he hadn’t come around. You don’t want that to happen to you. Mitch is a complicated man with a past that still haunts him. You need to talk to him.”
“I know, hence the fear and sadness and tears.” I sipped my tea, looking for comfort wherever I could get it.
“Mitch loves you so much, Sunny.” Zoe hugged me. “The way he looks at you takes my breath away. He might surprise you. Then again, he might not. You have to be prepared for that. The real question is, can you live with his answer either way?”
“That is the question.” I laughed nervously. “Speaking of the way a man looks at a woman, how are things going with Sean?” I asked Zoe, needing to take my mind off my troubles and change the subject. And just like I knew they would, my girls backed off.
Zoe’s face flushed a becoming shade of pink over just the mention of Sean’s name. “Good.”
Jo snorted. “Don’t let her fool you. They’re going great. She has that man eating out of her hand, and yes, she’s still a virgin.”
“I can’t believe Sean’s abstained for over three months now.” I shook my head in awe. “That has to be a record.”
“He’s so sweet. He hasn’t pressured me at all. In fact, I’ve been the one having a hard time holding back, but he keeps me strong. He knows how much it means to me, and he’s trying to prove he wants more than an affair. He truly wants all of me.” Zoe’s face flushed even brighter.
“Awww, honey, that’s so awesome.” I hugged her tight. “What’s next for you two? Marriage maybe?”
She shrugged. “I have no clue, but I’m excited to find out. All I know for sure is that I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”
Zoe glanced across the bar at Sean as he was setting up all the tables, preparing for the evening crowd, and her face glowed. He seemed to be pulled in her direction from the magnetism humming between them. When he looked at her, his hands grew still and everything about him gentled. His adorable dimples sank deep, and his smile said it all. The ladies’ man had finally been tamed by a single woman.
Sean O’Malley was in love.
Later that evening I decided to talk to Mitch. Jo and Zoe’s happiness had given me the courage to go after my own. I’d invited him into my workspace—Sunny’s Sanctuary—now that it had been repaired after a break-in had destroyed nearly everything. It was back and better than ever. Mitch and I shared a bedroom, and we all knew the rest of the house was pretty much Morty’s, but my sanctuary was my personal space.
The garage had become Mitch’s. It wasn’t that I couldn’t go in there, but it was the one place I left for him to escape to when he needed to be alone and think. The same was true with him and my office. I conducted readings in there, and Mitch had been inside many times, but mostly it was the one place for me that was truly mine alone.
He parted the strands of crystal beads and stepped inside. I’d painted the walls a soft, pale blue and had turned on my usual New Age music to relax us both. My tropical fish tank bubbled while the fireplace popped and crackled, giving off a cozy feel. I might not be able to cook, but I had a green thumb, and enjoyed the various plants and herbs I had scattered about, giving the room life and vitality. But my favorite part of all were the constellations that covered the ceiling in a sparkling imitation of the universe, glowing when the lights were dimmed.
I chose some astrological charts and zodiac signs from my selection of fortune-telling supplies on a set of shelves in the corner, and then placed them on the ancient Victorian tea table in the center of the room. “Please, have a seat.” I gestured to the chair across from me.
“Why are we in here?” he asked warily, his gaze darting about as he sat down.
“I wanted to talk to you.”
“You sound serious.” He looked worried.
“This is a serious conversation.”
He reached out and took my hands in his own. “I’m sorry.”
My forehead wrinkled. “What on earth for?”
“For whatever I did wrong.” He looked so helpless and admittedly adorable, reminding me of just how much I loved him.
I was already shaking my head. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Mitch. I’m the one who’s sorry.”
His face puckered, looking confused. “Okay.”
“I know I’ve been acting strange lately, and you have every right to want to pick a wedding date,” I went on. “It’s been almost four months since I asked you to marry me.”
He arched a thick black brow. “I’m pretty sure that ring on your finger suggests I asked you.”
A small smile tipped up my lips. “Okay, so we asked each other. The point is, it’s time we took the next step.”
His gaze brightened. “Then what’s the problem?”
“Me,” I answered honestly.
He rubbed his thumbs over the backs of my hands. “You’re not a problem, Sunny. A stubborn mule, sometimes, but never a problem. You’re a gift, and I treasure you.”
“I know, and that’s what makes this so hard.”
His hands stilled. “You’re scaring me, Tink.”
“You’re not alone,” my voice wobbled, “but first, we need to discuss us.”
“I thought that was what we were
doing?”
“We are, but I mean who we are as individuals, not as a couple. That’s why I brought you into my space.”
He stared at my charts. “Ahhh,” was all he said, but his hesitation and wariness slid back into place.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle.” I patted his hands and then went back to studying my charts.
He just grunted.
“I know you’re not a true believer, but please keep an open mind.”
“I always do.”
“Astrology can tell us a lot about a person, based on the position the planets were in on the day a person was born. There are twelve Zodiac signs, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. When reading someone’s horoscope, we can begin to understand who they are as a person, right down to their strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, and more. We can even compare two different signs to see how compatible they truly are.”
“Sunny, I don’t think—”
I held up my hand. “Open mind, remember? Just hear me out, please.”
“Okay.”
“Each horoscope sign falls under one of the four Zodiac elements of water, fire, earth and air. You with me?”
“I’m with you.”
“Good. I want to make sure you understand the basics before I get into who we are, and more importantly, what our personalities are like.”
“No worries. I’ve got your number.” He winked.
“Yes, you do, but that’s a whole other topic.” I winked back.
“I’ve got all day.” He wagged his eyebrows.
“Focus,” I ordered with mock sternness. “Anyway, about the signs. People whose signs fall under water elements are overly emotional and sensitive. They are highly intuitive and very mysterious. They usually have a great memory, and love deep conversations and intimacy. They often criticize themselves, and they always support the people they love.”
“You are definitely a water sign.” He grunted.
I laughed. “Yes, I am. Just as you are a fire sign.”
Hazard in the Horoscope Page 2