“You know I’m never inviting you to another party,” she threatened, trying to look upset, but feeling a little giddy.
“Then I’d better make the most of this opportunity.”
He continued walking into the water until he was almost waist-deep, and her backside was introduced to the cold. She gasped.
“Any last words?” he asked.
She tightened her grip. “You’re coming with me.”
“I was planning on it.”
Maddy shuddered and John answered her look of thrilled terror with a smile as he began to fall forward. She tried not to squeal as the water hit her back, and instinctively pulled closer to him as if she could still somehow escape the inevitable icy submersion. The next moment she was immobilized with cold, still in his arms, and he was kissing her.
It happened so quickly that when he released her and she came up for air, she wasn’t sure if she’d imagined it. She found herself standing drenched and frozen, with John about a foot away, waving at the crowd in victory. He turned to her, his wet hair wild around his face, and took her hand.
“I’m sorry I had to do that,” he said, clearly not sorry at all. “Wanna take another dip?” He grinned and looked deep into her eyes.
Oh, yeah, he kissed me.
“You wish,” she said, her teeth and nerves chattering. What kind of first kiss was that?
Exquisite. Unforgettable. She was frozen outside and on fire within. Responding with all the maturity she could muster, she sent a spray of water into his face and ran toward the shore. John followed, smiling broadly. As they neared the others, Blake grabbed one of their well-used towels and offered it to Maddy. She took it gratefully, ignoring the sand that covered her as she wrapped it around herself.
“Thank you so much, Blake,” she shivered.
“You’re welcome,” he grinned.
“Here, Dad! Here’s mine!” Parker yelled, picking up his towel and sending sand everywhere as he tried to shake it out.
“Thanks, buddy,” John said.
“My dad threw you in the water!” Parker giggled to Maddy. “That was so funny!”
“You think so, huh?” Maddy chattered with a grin.
“Oh, yeah!”
“I’m going to walk Miss Maddy back to the house,” John told his sons. “I’ll be right back. Stay with Aunt Karen – don’t go in the water.”
“I can find my way,” Maddy assured him. “You’ve helped me quite enough.”
He grinned. “It will be my pleasure.” He fell in beside her, and Maddy looked at him warily
“So, I probably should have asked,” John began when they were out of earshot of the others, leaning into her shoulder as they walked.
“Asked me what?” Maddy shivered for any number of reasons.
“Asked if I could kiss you.”
Who asks for permission? “Kiss me? You kissed me? When?”
The surprise on John’s face was priceless, but it didn’t last long. His momentary confusion became a grin, which became ‘the look,’ except that he no longer looked into her eyes. He focused on her lips. Maddy almost dissolved into the sand.
“How could I have missed?” He slowly brought his eyes back to hers.
The door banged! and Becky, who had gone inside and covered up again, walked out onto the porch. “What happened to you, Maddy? You look awful.”
Pulling her eyes away from John’s, Maddy looked up at her sister. “You can thank him for that,” she said as she hurried up the steps.
“Wow, you smell like fish,” Becky wrinkled her nose as Maddy walked past, and then turned her best smile on John.
“I’m going to get my guys rinsed off in your shower out here,” he called to Maddy.
“Help yourself. I’m going to get some dry clothes on.”
John grinned and Maddy went inside. She had to get out of her wet clothes before she could get ready for the evening, or make any sense out of the afternoon.
After dinner, the group agreed to take a walk down the beach. Otis declined, claiming that he hadn’t eaten enough of Blake’s cookies yet. They had been a big hit, as had the rest of the dinner. The steaks and burgers were made to order, and Maddy continued to marvel as she watched people enjoying a meal in her new home. The watermelon fruit bowl definitely won “the most original” award. She wondered if it would be possible to feed her paying guests potluck style. It would certainly be an interesting marketing technique.
With dinner cleaned up the group set off, Otis waving from the swing. The kids ran on ahead, chasing seagulls in and out of the waves. Maddy walked Burt and talked with Karen about her job at a small manufacturing company in town. John, happy that Maddy and Karen were connecting, walked over to Becky, who brightened up immediately. They talked about her art show in Boston and her teaching position in Lexington. John found that when she didn’t try to flirt, she could be interesting company.
They made it down to the public beach, which was very crowded; another new experience for Maddy. Vendors wandered through the crowd, selling cotton candy and popcorn, sparklers and small toys. Karen bought each of the kids a glow necklace, figuring it might be smart to have part of them lit up when the beach started to get dark. Burt was a big hit. Most people assumed that he was friendly, and reached out to pet him as Maddy’s group walked by.
By the time they got back to the house, Frank and his family had returned. It didn’t take long to set up the fire pit and get a blaze going. The kids searched for sticks to roast marshmallows, and Maddy and Karen moved chairs over from the badminton area. The adults got comfortable around the fire, watched the children and talked. The subject of the work done on Maddy’s house predominated.
“So, how much more is there to do?” Karen asked.
Maddy looked at John, who launched into the update. “Most of the plumbing and electrical issues have been dealt with throughout the house. The bedrooms upstairs are in good shape, though the floors need to be finished. Both bathrooms upstairs need some work, but the big pieces are in. Then there’s the lower level…
“The walls need painting and the floors will be refinished. There’s a lot of woodwork that needs attention, and wainscoting to be installed. Of course, furnishing and decorating will follow all of that.”
“Another big project is the kitchen,” Frank added. “Maddy needs to decide how she wants it updated. A lot of people are having elaborate gourmet kitchens installed, which I generally think is a waste, unless you’re opening an inn like this, of course.”
“Isn’t that terribly expensive?” Linda asked.
“Oh, yeah,” sighed Maddy. “They’re beautiful and functional I’m sure, but I’m not sure if that’s where I want to invest right now.” She sat back, pushing her toes into the sand in front of her. “The kitchen isn’t really my favorite spot,” she confessed. “I’d rather put my money elsewhere.”
No one was bold enough to point out that a B&B needed a fairly decent kitchen to provide for the second “B.” John was ready with another project, anyway.
“The roof will be just the thing,” he grinned. “We’ll do that in August. After that, Maddy will need to decide whether she wants to paint, or re-side the house with vinyl.” He added this last option with less enthusiasm. As practical as it was, vinyl siding wouldn’t be in keeping with the historical character of the home, an important element for a quaint B&B.
“I think we should keep the shaker shingles,” Maddy mused. “I’m sure it must be hard to paint them, though.”
“The shingles are in good shape, and definitely worth keeping. It is a little time-consuming to paint them, but definitely worth the trouble.” John smiled at Maddy, who turned away with a grin.
Frank glanced at each of them and grinned, himself. “Maddy bought some nice antiques for the bedrooms upstairs. It will be interesting to see those rooms start to come together.”
The conversation then turned to the other two B&Bs in town and the kind of business they had be
en doing. A short time later, the first of the fireworks erupted, and the group moved their chairs to watch the display.
Maddy had as much fun watching her guests enjoy the show as she did herself. The finale finally showered above them; a spectacular ending to a wonderful day.
Otis was the first to head home, and the others followed shortly afterward. Maddy saw her guests off with mixed feelings; she hated to see the day end.
John pulled his boys’ things together and sent them outside for their flip-flops. For a brief moment, he and Maddy were alone in the kitchen.
“My sister offered to take the boys home with her.” John paused and raised an eyebrow. “Okay if I stay a little longer?”
“Oh, I guess,” Maddy answered, her mind racing with mixed delight and panic. “I could use some help cleaning up.”
She smiled sweetly and turned as Blake and Parker entered the kitchen. “I’m so glad you guys were here to help me celebrate the Fourth of July,” she said to them. “I’ll see you on Sunday, okay?”
Half an hour later, Maddy found herself watching from the porch as John doused the fire. They had just put her inebriated sister to bed, and the happy prospect of spending a few minutes alone with John was tempered significantly by the fact that Maddy could barely keep her eyes open. She closed them and let the evening breeze revive her.
Her nerves began to dance a little as John walked up the steps. So maybe she wouldn’t fall asleep before they had a chance to say goodnight properly. He fell in beside her, leaning his elbows on the railing and looking out over the water. Maddy relaxed a little and did the same.
The moon’s reflection shimmered on the waves, which gently lapped the shore. The scene was impossibly romantic, and Maddy found herself contemplating what it would be like to kiss John without being submerged in icy water. This speculation brought a little smile to her face.
“What are you thinking about?”
Maddy turned, hoping the shadows hid her blush. “Oh, I was thinking about that volley in badminton that ended with you flat on your back.”
“When Frank dove under the net and tackled me?”
“Hmmm… I thought you just fell over.”
John chuckled. “It was a good match. You weren’t bad.”
Maddy raised an eyebrow. “Thanks.”
“Of course, you weren’t good enough to beat us, but you made a decent effort.”
“Oh, please. We were interrupted…”
John reached over and pushed a wisp of her hair behind her ear, leaving the whole side of her face tingling. “Interrupted?”
She stopped breathing. “Yes.”
“And?”
“And we shouldn’t have lost.”
“I see. Maddy, would you go out with me?”
She drew a breath. “I’ve already been out with you, John. We’ve been out for pizza and ice cream, and I’ve been to your house for dinner.” She managed an ingenuous smile.
He pushed another strand of hair out of her face. The wind continued to blow it gently. “I want to go out with you alone.”
“Oh,” Maddy replied. “Without Blake and Parker?”
John nodded gravely.
“I’ll have to think about that.”
John’s hand moved to her lips and slowly traced them. Maddy closed her eyes and leaned against the railing. Not sure that her lips would even work, she attempted to speak.
“You shouldn’t touch my lips like that,” she whispered.
“Well, if I can’t touch your lips, would it be okay if I kissed you,” he paused and gently turned her head, “here?”
He leaned down and Maddy hesitated only briefly before putting an end to the kiss on her cheek. The kiss, itself, continued, her daring move only slightly surprising her contractor. He readily adjusted, and moved his hands from her face to her shoulders, then gently down her arms until he held her hands. For several wonderful, nerve-wracking moments, Maddy lost herself in his extraordinarily gentle touch.
He finally pulled back and looked at her, and Maddy returned his gaze, feeling a grin tug at her lips.
“Would it ruin my enigmatic persona to say that I wondered what that would be like?”
John laughed. “Enigmatic persona? No, Maddy, no revelation of yours could make you any less mysterious to me.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
“Anyway, I think I’m more interested in your opinion on this side of the, hmmm, event.”
“Event?” It was Maddy’s turn to laugh. “That sounds a little grand, but I guess you could call it that.”
“And?”
“Well, John, if you’re wondering how your kiss measures up …”
“Maddy.”
Something in the way he said her name turned her insides to jelly. She met his gaze. “John?”
He took her face in his hands. “Can I kiss you?”
“You already kissed me,” she felt compelled to argue.
“No, Maddy, you kissed me.”
“Oh, well, and if I say ‘no’?”
John drew back a little, his eyes narrowed. He took in her whole face and then focused on her lips. Maddy was sure her heart had stopped again.
He didn’t speak, so she continued. “Well, I didn’t want to swim this afternoon, and we know how that ended.”
John smiled, but remained focused as he gently stroked her cheeks with his thumbs.
“Yes,” Maddy stopped arguing.
It was unlike any kiss Maddy had ever experienced, except, of course, for the one a minute or two prior to it. Part of the difference was the distance John subtly kept between them. While their lips met with considerable feeling, his hands gently held her face or her hands, effectively keeping them from otherwise touching.
This time Maddy pulled back to catch her breath. “Okay, well, in my enigmatic opinion,” she paused and looked up at him, “that was very nice.”
John smiled in agreement. “So, you’ll go out with me?”
“What, because you’re a good kisser?”
He leveled his ‘look’ at her; she could easily discern it in the darkness. “Do you have to argue about everything?” he asked, linking his fingers through hers.
Maddy smiled. Being difficult seemed to be the only way she could maintain any kind of control, but she could hardly admit that to John.
He lifted one of her hands, and Maddy watched as his lips brushed her knuckles. He dropped her hand and raised an eyebrow. Maddy momentarily forgot the question, but just as she was about to concede that yes, she usually argued, or that sure, a date might be nice, the opportunity for speaking had passed. It was several more well-spent moments before Maddy had a chance to answer in the affirmative. She went with the date question.
“Friday night okay?” John asked, close enough to persuade her, in case she had any other objections.
“Okay,” she said.
“I’ll pick you up at seven.”
twelve
Over coffee the next morning, Becky and Maddy mapped out their day. They would visit the art gallery in town and then drive up the coast to see what other area artists had to offer. Maddy hoped to use local pieces as much as possible to decorate her house, and Becky could certainly help her identify quality work.
“Is there anything else you’d like to see while you’re here?” Maddy asked.
“Not really,” Becky yawned. “Let’s check out the artwork and then see what’s happening with the night life.”
“Not much,” Maddy answered, and then realized that she really didn’t have any point of reference. The only nightlife she’d experienced so far was doing research at the library, having pizza with the Fordhams and going to a cookout at their house. She smiled at how thoroughly her life had changed. Reluctantly, she brought herself back to her porch.
“So, how did I get into bed last night?”
Maddy knew this would come up. “John had to carry you.”
Becky smiled dreamily. “I wish I could remembe
r.”
“Yeah, it was like a fairy tale.”
“I think he must have a girlfriend,” Becky said thoughtfully. “I tried everything yesterday, and I just couldn’t get his attention.”
That is just wrong on so many levels. “Yes, you did.”
“Got his attention?”
“Tried everything.”
“Oh,” her sister slumped back in her chair. “I still think he might be interested in you.”
“Really?”
“I don’t know, but he’s definitely got someone on his mind, and I couldn’t get him to change it.”
“You can’t say you didn’t try.”
“Lighten up. When are you ever going to think about dating again? Phil was a moron. It’s way past time you figured that out.”
“I got that, actually.”
“So why don’t you go out with John?”
“Maybe I will.”
“So, there is something between you?”
“Becky, where were you last night?”
“You said there wasn’t anything going on.”
“Doesn’t mean I wasn’t interested.”
“You should have told me.”
“I wasn’t ready to.”
“So, what happened last night that I missed?”
“He kissed me.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yeah.” She sounded like Parker.
Becky stopped and contemplated this. It was one of her favorite subjects. “What was it like?”
“So nice.”
“What else happened?”
“What do you mean, ‘what else?’ ”
“Come on…”
“Nothing else happened. Nothing else should have happened. It was perfect.”
“Fine, don’t tell me.”
“What makes you think there’s anything else to tell?”
“In my experience, there usually is.”
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