Britt giggled as she walked past him.
He’d never get tired of that sound. He longed to dance his fingers over her bare skin to find her ticklish spots. Stop! What was he thinking! He gave his head another shake. “Would you like a coffee?”
A growling echoed from the hallway.
Britt stopped dead in her tracks, causing Ryan to barrel into her back. He grabbed her shoulders to steady her stand.
“What on earth is that gawd-awful sound?” She turned.
A floral scent hindered his thoughts. He called upon every ounce of strength to not snuggle his nose in her neck. “You smell so good.” Holy damn, did I say that out loud?
The color of her cheeks now matched her lips.
Ignore those lips! “That’s Dylan,” Ryan quickly added. He balled his hands into fist and entered the kitchen.
“No wonder he’s still single.” Another giggle.
Ryan held a breath. He gripped the edge of the countertop, hoping the island barrier would stop him from lunging toward the beautiful woman standing in his kitchen.
She nodded at the kettle he held.
“Dylan only snores when he’s been drinking. A bummer growing up, Mom and Dad always knew.”
“They probably guessed before the snoring. Parents just seem to know everything.” She wrapped her hands around the coffee mug and followed him to the deck. “My father is an expert on pollination. Did you know that pollen is transferred from the anther to the stigma, thereby enabling fertilization?”
He raised a brow. “I didn’t know that.”
She patted Hershey’s head. The dog was glued to her side. “Dad will enlighten you on the topic next time he sees you.”
He choked on a mouthful of hot liquid. Why did he get the feeling the conversation meant more than flowers? Ryan set his mug on the railing. “That chat couldn’t be any worse than Dylan’s sermon on how to play pool.” He leaned his shoulder against hers. “He claims it’s all about fluid strokes and precise aim.”
Britt’s mouthful of coffee sprayed from her lips, over the railing, and showering the grass below. She went into the kitchen. “We should get to work.” She rinsed her mug in the sink. “We don’t have a lot of time before meeting Cara and Kevin at your parents’ house.”
“I bet you’re looking forward to that luncheon.” His mother may have been on her best behavior last night, but anything could happen on her home turf. “We’ll sneak out as soon as Cara and Kevin say their goodbyes.” He joined her by the sink. “I made reservations at the Harbor View Restaurant. A candlelight dinner for two. Me and you—alone and with no distractions.” With a finger, he turned her chin to face him and then he lowered his head.
“Get a room.” Dylan entered the kitchen wearing nothing but his boxers. He ran a hand through his hair.
“Geesh, Dylan, put on some clothes.” Ryan stepped in front of Britt, blocking her view of his near-naked brother. “We have company.”
“Hi, Dylan,” Britt said from behind Ryan.
“That was some kiss last night.” Dylan winked.
Ryan stepped forward and pushed his hands against Dylan’s chest, shoving him out of the room. “You have fifteen minutes to shower and get dressed. We need your help moving furniture.”
“My head is exploding. I can’t lift heavy objects.” Dylan rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand.
He flashed his brother a glare, knowing Dylan would understand the silent threat.
Dylan ran to the bathroom. “Be back in ten.”
His brother may have ruined the moment in the kitchen, but no one would spoil the date he had planned for this evening. Ryan slipped an arm around Britt’s waist. “Lead the way. I’m all yours.”
****
Arriving at the Jerome’s, Britt parked in the driveway behind Ryan’s truck. She hopped out and opened the back door.
Hershey jumped from the seat.
The dog had made his choice on who he wanted to travel with as soon as she opened her car door. Ryan called Hershey to the truck, but Britt couldn’t reject the dog’s sad eyes and wagging tail.
Hershey’s company made the trip to the Jerome’s house bearable. They were hosting today’s luncheon. Kevin and Cara had invited family and close friends to join them before they left town. Mrs. Jerome had to know Britt was invited. Would the woman’s kindness be short-lived?
Britt took one step and paused. Even the property was daunting. The three-story bungalow sat at the end of a private cul-de-sac in the pristine gated community of Stoneypines. The natural stone walls and large wooden front door with glass inserts were an architectural masterpiece. One acre of lush grounds surrounded the property. Every tree and bush in the front courtyard was flawlessly pruned, and beds of multi-colored flowers bordered the concrete driveway.
Gripping the strap of her purse, she inhaled a deep breath. Lord, give me strength.
Hershey followed her slow pace.
Ryan and Dylan waited by the truck.
Ryan reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You have no reason to be nervous.”
Do trembling fingertips reveal my nervousness?
“Just don’t make eye contact.” Dylan raised his brows and opened his eyes wide. “Mom turned Medusa to stone.”
“Gee, thanks, Dylan.” She pushed his arm.
Ryan’s crazy brother had been helpful unpacking and moving furniture from room to room. She saw the eye rolls and heard the exasperated sighs, but he managed to keep his comments to himself when he was instructed to move the same chair to several different locations.
Ryan agreed to every design suggestion. His chivalrous nature made her job too easy. Two hours later, and many pillow throwing fights in between, Britt completed her job as decorator, with the exception of the space above the mantel. She assured Ryan she’d picked out the perfect piece of artwork and waited its delivery.
Dylan’s presence hadn’t hindered the electric charge she felt every time her hand or arm brushed against Ryan. After sharing a kiss and floating to the clouds, she removed all negativity and doubts of dating Ryan. He was different than the guys she dated in the past. She liked everything about him. Britt glanced at Ryan, still holding her hand and guiding her up the walkway to his parent’s front door. She smiled, ready to put her heart on the line.
During the luncheon, Mrs. Jerome’s role as hostess kept her busy making sure the buffet table was well-supplied with warm lasagna, rolls, salad, and mouth-watering desserts.
Britt avoided the woman as much as possible, staying close to either Ryan or Nathan.
Kevin and Cara opened their wedding gifts before having them repacked and carried to the moving truck outside. They made their way through the guests, hugging out long goodbyes.
When Britt received her hug, she swiped the tears from her eyes. She’d miss her best friend and his new wife. Stepping aside for Nathan to receive his goodbye, she spotted Mrs. Jerome sitting outside on the patio. She recognized the lost stare in the woman’s eyes. Without second guessing what she was about to do, Britt joined the dragon lady. She leaned on the railing, admiring the large vegetable garden in the backyard. “Being mad is okay.”
Dabbing her eyes with a tissue, the older woman glared an evil stare. “What on earth are you mumbling about?”
Mrs. Jerome’s stiff posture confirmed she didn’t take kindly to being interrupted during a personal moment. If Britt had any sense, she’d return to the party, but she ignored her better judgment and sat on the bench beside the older woman. “Being mad at Cara and Kevin for leaving.” She squeezed her hands together. “I’d get so angry with my father before he’d go back on the road. He’s a long-haul trucker, but I didn’t understand why he’d want to leave me. Or why he couldn’t find a job that kept him home.”
The dragon lady fiddled with the tissue on her lap. “Why are you telling me about your sad childhood?”
“Because I know what you’re feeling.” Britt was taking a huge risk with this conversation. She swallowed past a dry
throat. “You feel abandoned. Cara is leaving the nest. She’s moving thousands of miles away. That’s got to hurt.”
“You silly girl.” Mrs. Jerome stood, grabbing Britt’s arm and pulling her to stand. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Visions of being pushed over the balcony, to land amongst the thorny rose bushes below, crossed Britt’s thoughts. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” She pulled her arm from the woman’s tight grip. How foolish of me to think I could reach out to this woman. “I don’t know what I’m talking about. I don’t know what it’s like to have someone you love leave and not know when you’ll see them again. Why would I know anything about the countless hours of sitting by the phone, waiting for its ring? And when it does, you wonder if it’s the voice you’ve been longing to hear or the cold tone of a stranger giving you the news burned into your nightmares.” She squeezed her hands into fists. Anger boiled at the surface, and tears gathered beneath her lashes. To release years of compressed emotions felt good and wearing at the same time. She hadn’t meant to reveal her private suffering to anyone, especially not the dragon lady.
Mrs. Jerome reached out a hand. Her earlier rigid posture sagged.
Britt sat back on the bench, ignoring the possible peace offering. She released a breath. “At least, Cara isn’t alone. She has Kevin. They’re lucky to have found each other at work and to be transferred together.” Both aircraft mechanics in the military, Cara and Kevin had received postings to Ontario. “You can video chat with your daughter every day.” She said the words, even though she couldn’t imagine that being on the top of Cara’s daily to-do list. “They promised to visit on holidays, and you and Mr. Jerome can drive there to spend a few days whenever you want.”
The woman pressed her lips tight together and returned to the bench. “Do you want to know why Cara excluded me from her wedding plans?”
I might be curious. But Britt was cautious to respond or make eye contact.
“Mr. Jerome and I eloped. We said our vows at a small chapel. Just the two of us, the pastor, and two witnesses.” She stared into the distance. “Paul’s mother didn’t approve of me. I wasn’t good enough for her son.”
Really? Britt couldn’t help but turn and stare with a raised eyebrow. Sounds like someone I know.
“She wanted Paul to marry the daughter of a close friend of the family. Her daughter was an upcoming socialite studying to be a lawyer. The woman had a heart attack when she learned her surgeon of a son married a retail clerk.”
Sympathy for the woman sitting beside her nibbled Britt’s heart strings. “Is she—”
“Dead?” Mrs. Jerome’s upper lip curved to a smirk. “Unfortunately, no. The depths of fire refused to take that wicked woman.”
Britt covered her mouth to stifle a snicker. “You still don’t get along?”
“We tolerate each other. She changed her attitude when I became the manager of that small retail store that turned into a chain of designer women’s clothing, and the promising lawyer of her friend was disbarred for taking a bribe.” Mrs. Jerome turned and smiled. She then pointed to an elderly woman hugging Cara. “Thankfully, the She Devil thaws her frozen heart when the matter involves her grandchildren.”
Is this what a future would be like with Ryan? Britt wondered if she had the strength to go against Mrs. Jerome. The dragon had obviously learned from the best.
“That woman robbed me of my dream wedding. The white dress, the planning, the spotlight. I may have repeated this story several times while the children were growing up.” She glanced at the large diamond on her finger. “I guess Cara was afraid I’d take over and make her wedding the one I never had.” Mrs. Jerome swiped a tear before it fell. “My daughter was right to exclude me, but I’m afraid my meddling created a barrier between us. I don’t want her to leave hating me.”
Britt reached for the other woman’s hand. “Cara loves you.” Mrs. Jerome deserved to know the truth. “When she made a decision on her dress, on flowers, or decorations, she hoped you’d be pleased. She even said she missed your meddling advice.” She winked, hoping Mrs. Jerome didn’t mind the friendly poke. “Cara regrets excluding you. I think you should release her of that burden before she leaves.”
“You’re right.” She gave Britt’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I underestimated you. You’re not the silly little girl I thought was chasing Ryan for his money.”
Ouch!
“You’re an intelligent woman with a superior eye for decor.”
Am I dreaming? Is there a hidden camera? Britt glanced around the patio, looking for a recording device.
Mrs. Jerome stood. “I assume, after seeing last night’s kiss and your arrival together today, you and Ryan are officially dating.”
Had everyone observed the kiss? Britt’s cheeks heated with embarrassment. She nodded. Say goodbye to the girl afraid to step out of her comfort zone and hello to the woman ready to take charge of her future.
“Then, I look forward to your presence at dinner next Sunday.” She walked to the open patio doors and turned before entering the room. “Thank you for the talk.” Mrs. Jerome smiled then left to find her daughter.
Britt stared, wondering what happened. Did she just have a civilized conversation with the woman she once called a dragon lady and receive an invitation to a family dinner? She jumped, startled by Hershey sprinting up the steps.
Ryan followed, taking two steps at a time. He reached the top and bent, placing his hands on his knees to catch a breath. “I’ve been looking for you. I searched the garden and pool area.”
She scratched Hershey’s ears and kissed his head. There’s a pool, too? “Did you think your mother had acted upon her threats to have me disappear?”
“My mother’s absence and your sudden disappearance gave cause to worry. Nathan is checking the trunk of my mother’s car.”
Britt stood, laughing. Nathan would think the ultimate worst scenario. She grabbed Ryan’s hands and pulled him closer. “I’m fine, and I can’t wait for our date tonight.” She kissed him fully on the lips, not caring who saw them.
Chapter Nine
“I can’t believe my mother’s change of heart.” Ryan flicked the cloth napkin and placed it over his lap. “She’s never liked anyone I’ve dated. Neither has Hershey. But I knew you were special the moment we met.”
“You lie.” Britt paused in mid-sip of her spicy, red wine. “You called me crazy.”
“A special kind of crazy.” He grinned, waiting until she set the glass on the table before reaching for her hand. “The day we met, you were ready for a fight. You were screaming, but I couldn’t get past the wild sparkle in your eyes and the sun-kissed honey highlights in your hair.” Ryan thought better to not tell Britt his emotions went beyond friendship.
On the day of Cara’s wedding, he got the impression Britt would end their budding relationship. But then the kiss happened. He felt her reservations melt. Her lips and response told the truth. That was also the moment he knew he’d do anything to convince this woman they were meant to be together. “So, you’re not telling me what you and my mother were discussing?”
She squeezed his hand. “I’m just as surprised as you.”
He didn’t believe her. According to an inside informant, known as Dylan, Britt and their mother had talked for several minutes on the patio. Dylan saw tears from both women and brief physical contact that didn’t involve pain infliction.
“I think we understand each other, and I no longer fear for my life.”
Her smile was infectious. He wanted to move his chair closer to the woman whose hair was neatly pinned at the top of her head. Several strands of curls fell over her tanned shoulders and lay against her sleeveless pink dress. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and never let go. Whatever happened between his mother and Britt, Ryan was grateful their animosity had lessened. Britt was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. “Your father told me last night about his retirement.”
“I can’t be
lieve he turned in his resignation.” She flashed a smile. “He said he had been thinking about retiring for some time, but I didn’t think he’d act so quickly.”
The waitress came to take their order.
Ryan laughed after Britt ordered balsamic-glazed filet mignon served with steamed asparagus and baby red potatoes. He liked that their tastes buds were similar, as were their tastes in movies, music, and recreational activities.
“I’m proud of Dad for taking such a big step,” Britt said, sipping her wine. “He’s not afraid of taking chances.” She sighed and set the glass on the table. “Which makes me want to do the same.”
Is that why she didn’t end their relationship? Am I her leap of faith? He reached for her hand again. “I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am you’re taking a chance on us. We didn’t bump into each other several times by luck. Our paths were meant to cross.”
Britt leaned over the table and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. “I totally agree. As much as I tried avoiding you and your beast of a dog, I found myself drawn. Hershey stole my heart with his sad eyes and sloppy kisses.”
He loved her teasing. “He has that effect on the ladies.”
“And so does his owner.” She laughed, leaning forward.
Ryan scooted his chair closer, grabbed the dessert menu, held it in front of his face, and kissed her cherry lips.
Britt responded, matching his demand before ending with a few quick pecks.
They were in a public restaurant, and even though the setting was romantic with dim lighting and candles—not to mention the waterfront scenery of couples walking hand-in-hand in the park—he didn’t want to make a spectacle.
Leaning back in her chair, Britt ran a fingertip over her bottom lip. “In regards to taking chances, I’m considering a change of employment.”
“You’re calling the interior designer your father spoke about?”
“No.” She leaned an elbow on the table. “I’m thinking of starting my own business.”
“That’s a great idea.” After seeing the outcome of Cara’s wedding and his own home interior design, he knew Britt would be a success. He’d also feel better having her nowhere near her slimy boss.
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