She thought a moment. “Well, I’m pretty sure that’s what happened before, when he sent me the email apologizing. He probably took the ring off then, too.”
“In that email, did he come off the same way? Like he didn’t know what had happened?”
“I…I don’t remember.” She bunched her mouth to one side. “I’d have to look again.”
“Maybe you should.” He kissed her, short and sweet. “Let’s go home. I’m sure Jasper’s ready to eat again.”
She held tight and stayed where she was. “Wait, you still haven’t told me what you suspect.”
“I don’t know what I suspect, just that things went too smoothly. Experience has taught me that’s not usually the way life works. And maybe this thing is over, but maybe it’s not. Either way, I’m not prepared to back off from protecting you just yet.”
She grinned and leaned into him. “You’re just trying to keep me to yourself.”
He winked at her. “That wouldn’t be such a bad thing, would it?”
“No.”
“Are you going to destroy the ring tonight?”
“No. It’ll take too much out of me. Tomorrow, first thing. I promise.”
They started walking again. She loved the rough feel of his hand against hers. Being Nick’s girl was pretty great, actually. Then her mind wandered to what he’d said about things going too easily with Martin Burnside.
She trusted Nick’s judgment. What if he was right? What if something else was going on? But what could that be? She shook the thoughts away. She didn’t want to borrow trouble, and she’d done enough thinking and worrying and feeling bad about Martin Burnside.
And after the ring was destroyed, she could finally move forward, finally open herself up to the chance at happiness with Nick. Finally put the stress of all this behind her and enjoy life.
She smiled at the man walking beside her. With a guy like Nick watching over her, how could she not?
Willa finished turning on all the display case lights before sliding past Nick on the way to the office. “I know you made up that bet just so you could take me on a picnic for the Fourth of July.”
The little sundress she had on today looked like it had been made for her. It was the same ocean water blue as her eyes and showed off her beautiful figure. Made him especially proud that he was spending the evening out with her. That this gorgeous creature was with him. He grabbed her hand to keep her beside him a second longer.
“Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t.” He kissed her cheek. They were still getting the store open so there were no customers in yet. She smelled of floral shampoo and the detergent he used on his towels.
She smirked. “Clearly, you did. You probably lost on purpose, too.”
“You’ll never know.” He hadn’t. Although he’d also done his best to make it close, but there was no outselling the woman who created the goods.
She traced her fingers down his arm. “I’m going to let you have this one because I’m really looking forward to the picnic.”
The phone rang before he could say anything else.
She picked it up. “Illusions.” She smiled. “Good morning, Sheriff. I see. No, that wasn’t from me. Not working on anything like that either. Just the ring and I’m destroying that this morning. Okay. Thank you.” She hung up.
“Everything all right?”
She nodded. “Yep. Sheriff Merrow said Martin Burnside had another piece of jewelry on him, some kind of cuff bracelet, and wanted to make sure it hadn’t come from me too or been stolen from my apartment. Since that wasn’t the case, he’s releasing Burnside and making sure he’s on his way back to Arkansas.”
“Good.” Nick walked over to her, slipped his arms around her waist and nuzzled the delicate pointed tip of her ear. “Now, about that picnic. I’m looking forward to it, too. For lots of reasons.”
She let out a half sigh, half giggle and pried at his hands without using much real effort. “I am not making out with you in public.”
“It’s the Fourth of July, and I’m a veteran. Making out with me is your patriotic duty.”
She laughed and twisted in his arms to face him. “Is that so?”
“Mm-hmm.” He kissed her again, nudging her against the case of rings and taking his time with her mouth. She tasted of coffee and syrup from the pancakes he’d made them for breakfast. Warm and sweet. Her tongue teased his, and a rough, feral noise escaped his throat.
She leaned into him, her hands coming up to wind in his hair. Her touch sent shivers of pleasure through him, a feeling that had taken some getting used to, but now it just pushed him closer to the edge.
His hands slipped to her taut backside, cupping her and tugging her closer. The heat of her body through the thin cotton sundress was a familiar warmth that took him right to the brink of losing control. He broke the kiss. It was that or take her right there in the store.
Both of them breathed heavily, and the languid look in her eyes only fueled his already wicked thoughts. He nipped at her mouth one more time. “You could just close for the day. We could go back to the house and—”
“I’m only open until six as it is.” She flattened her hands on his chest as she sucked her lower lip under her teeth. “Although the offer is tempting. Very.” Her gaze narrowed. “Too bad you have a picnic to prepare for.”
He sighed and reluctantly let her go. Hard to do when all he could think about was taking her back to bed. “I do.”
She gave him a curious look before heading back toward the office.
“What was that look for?”
She stopped at the small table that held some of the shop’s equipment and turned on the squat high-pressured steam machine and the ultrasonic jewelry cleaner beside it. “I was wondering if you’re going to make the food yourself or pick it up from somewhere.”
“I can cook. A little. Hey, I made breakfast.”
“So we’re having pancakes for the picnic?”
“No. I’m picking up the food. Then there’s no question it’ll be good.” He checked his watch. He’d put in an order at Delaney’s Delectables for the dessert. The rest of it was coming from Howler’s. Plus, he had to get wine, clean the cooler out, find a good blanket for them to sit on, make sure he had the corkscrew packed, get the camp chairs out…what was he forgetting? “I should probably get moving. Lots to do to hold up my end of the deal. I’ll be back at six sharp to walk you to our spot.”
“You’re sure it’ll be okay to leave everything?”
He nodded. “Merrow and the rest of his deputies will be on patrol, but I’ll get someone to keep an eye on it.”
“Okay. Remember, feed Jasper before you leave the house to get our spot.”
“It’s at the top of my list.” Amazing how her crazy orange cat had grown on him. He actually enjoyed the company in the house. And Jasper was highly entertaining. When he wasn’t expressing himself with his teeth.
The front door rattled, and Ramona peered in through the glass. She mouthed, “Open up.”
Willa made a noise. “I think the only reason she’s on time is the chance to see you.” She gestured toward the entrance. “Will you let her in?”
“Sure.” He unlocked the door and pulled it open, the soft sounds of the town getting the day underway greeting him. “Morning.”
The brownie grinned. “Good morning, Nick. Happy Fourth of July. You’re a veteran, right?”
He nodded.
Her lids lowered coyly over her large dark eyes. “Pretty sure I’m supposed to hug a veteran today.”
“There will be plenty of veterans for you to hug at the fireworks later, Ramona.” Willa eyed her sternly. “Right now, there’s a new shipment of earrings waiting to be carded. Also, the watch band order came in and needs to be added to stock.”
Ramona rolled her eyes and whispered, “Slave driver,” under her breath.
Nick laughed as the girl stomped toward the back of the store.
Willa shook her head as she walked toward him.
“You look like a cat who just got into the cream.”
“I can’t help that I’m universally appealing.”
Willa snorted. “Getting a little full of yourself with all this attention, aren’t you?”
He snagged her hand and drew her in. “Maybe spending time with such a beautiful woman is inflating my ego. You think we should stop seeing each other?”
She screwed her face into a fierce, challenging expression. “Why? Is that what you want?”
“No. Never.” The light of truth blinked on in his brain. He didn’t ever want to stop seeing her.
“Good answer. And I see a deputy outside. You’re free to go and prepare for our picnic.” She smiled and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “See you at six?”
“On the nose.”
“By which you mean two minutes early.”
He laughed. “You’re really starting to know me.” He gave her a wave and headed out to start his day full of errands and prep.
By four o’clock he had the food picked up—chocolate-covered strawberries and salted chocolate truffles from Delaney’s Delectables and cold steak sandwiches with pasta salad and chips from Howler’s—and the cooler stocked with everything they’d need. He had another bag packed with a blanket, bug spray, a Guns and Ammo magazine he’d been meaning to catch up on, and glow sticks, just because. He’d also pulled out two camp chairs and a beach umbrella from the shed. He wasn’t sure they’d use them, but he was trying to anticipate Willa’s every need.
He fed Jasper a whole can of food, which was more than Willa had said to give him, but Nick knew it was going to be a late night. Then, just to be on the safe side, Nick filled up the dry food bowl until it was mounded and overflowing. He shook his head as Jasper went to town. “If you get fat, your mother is not going to be happy with me. We might have to start letting you out in the backyard to run around.”
He gave Jasper a little scratch on the head, then gathered up the picnic stuff, put his sunglasses on and headed to the fairgrounds behind the firehouse where the evening’s festivities would take place. It was about a twenty-minute walk from the house, but with the crowd, it might take them an hour to get back. From what he’d heard, the Red, White and Boo Festival was one of the year’s most popular events in Nocturne Falls.
That seemed true judging by the crowd already gathered to grab a good spot to watch the fireworks. At one end of the fairgrounds, the staging area for the fireworks was roped off for a good fifty feet. At the other end, where the bandstand was, people had already set up blankets and sun umbrellas to enjoy the bluegrass group currently providing entertainment.
Kids were making good use of the giant inflatable slide and bounce house that had been erected for the occasion. The festival mascot, a character dressed like the ghost of Uncle Sam, wandered through the throng shaking hands and posing for pictures.
Several food trucks were set up by the regular concession stand, but a few hawkers walked through the growing crowd. They sold cotton candy, peanuts, beer, sparklers, bottles of Nocturne Falls water, and American flags. Nick imagined the number of hawkers would grow as the evening progressed and the crowd increased.
He picked a spot halfway between the bandstand and the staging area and set up the blanket, the two camp chairs, and the small beach umbrella he’d thrown in for good measure. He was glad he had now. The sun was hot, and the shade was welcome.
After putting the cooler between the two chairs like a side table, he took a seat and pulled out his magazine to pass the time until he could pick up Willa. An hour in and the spaces around him were rapidly disappearing.
Quarter to six and he knew he’d gotten there at the right time. The fairgrounds were jammed. The only spaces still available were on the edges and near the back. He did a three-sixty and smiled. He’d chosen well. And now it was time to pick up his girl.
“Hey, buddy, can I ask you a favor?” He nodded at the older couple who’d set up next to him. The man was wearing a USMC Retired cap.
Semper Fi looked at him. “What can I do for you, son?”
“Watch my gear until I get back? Gotta pick up my girl. I’ll bring you a beer if you want.”
The man squinted at Nick’s Ranger tattoo. “You got it, son. Happy to have that beer, too.”
“Will do. Thanks.” Nick picked his way through the crowd and back to Main Street, arriving at five fifty-nine.
Willa was at the door, laughing. She opened it and came out, keys in hand. “Right on time.”
He leaned against the building. “Miss me?”
“Terribly. Did you feed Jasper?”
“Like a king.”
She locked the door. “Did you get a good spot?”
“No.” He grinned as she frowned. “I got a great spot.”
She tucked the keys in her purse. “Lead me to it.”
He took her hand and walked her back to the fairgrounds, stopping to get a beer off one of the roving vendors. It was more expensive than getting one from a food truck, but he didn’t want to waste time waiting in the long lines.
Back at the spot he’d set up, he handed the cold brew to Semper Fi. “Thanks.”
“Much obliged.” The man gave Nick a nod as he took the beer.
Willa had already settled into one of the camp chairs. She beamed up at him. “This is a great spot. You did well.”
Nick preened a little at the praise. Making her happy was really all he cared about. “Hungry?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s eat.” He opened the cooler and spread out the meal he’d picked up.
He asked her about her day as they ate, then he cleaned up and they sat for a bit in comfortable silence, holding hands and watching people go by. Time slipped away with the setting sun. He took the umbrella down when twilight settled over them and they folded up the camp chairs and sat side by side on the blanket.
The fireworks followed shortly after, a spectacular display that had the whole crowd oohing and ahhing simultaneously. Every time one of the big boomers went off, Willa gave his hand a little squeeze.
He couldn’t remember a time when he’d been happier. It was a physical presence within him, a lightness of being that seemed incongruous with who he was. A leviathan-class gargoyle should not feel like he was filled with helium. He snorted softly at the thought.
“What?” Willa asked.
He shook his head. “Nothing. Just happy.”
She nodded, a short quick movement. “Me, too.”
Fireworks over, they packed up and gathered everything.
She stuck her little purse in the large bag he’d brought, then slung it over her shoulder. “I can carry something else.”
“I’ve got the rest.” He patted his pockets. “Hey, check that my phone and keys are in there?”
She looked inside the bag. “Yep. Side pocket. You want them?”
“Not until we get to the house.” He slung the straps from the camp chairs over his shoulder, then grabbed the handle of the rolling cooler. Finally, he tucked the umbrella under that arm as well to leave a hand free for Willa.
Hand in hand, they made their way along with the crowd. Progress was as slow moving as he’d anticipated, and it was after eleven by the time they turned onto his street, but he didn’t care and she didn’t seem to either.
The night had been perfect. For him, anyway. “You have a good time?”
“No.” A slow smile spread across her face. “I had a great time. Thanks for putting all that together. It was perfect.”
He nodded. “Anytime.” And he meant it.
“I bet Jasper’s going to be crying for food.”
Nick snorted as they approached the house. “I bet he won’t be.”
She looked at him. “Why’s that?”
“Because—”
“I was starting to think you were never coming back.” Two people walked out from the shadows on the side of the house. One was Martin Burnside. Nick didn’t recognize the one who’d spoken, but judging by his
pointed ears, he was fae.
Willa sucked in a breath. “Martin, I thought this was over.”
The troll just looked straight ahead, his dark, unblinking stare like that of a man not in full control of his faculties.
Nick dropped everything and took a step forward, putting himself in front of Willa. “You’re on private property. You need to leave.”
The fae grinned and tried to look around Nick at Willa. “Look at how well you’ve trained your pet. Kyanna is going to be so pleased.”
Willa put her hand on Nick’s arm and stepped up next to him. “He’s not my pet. Who are you and what are you doing? And who’s Kyanna?”
The fae had the blunt-cut hair of a schoolboy, shaved close on the sides and long on top. A hank of the muddy blond hair fell over his brows as he dipped his head and splayed his long fingers over his chest. “I’m wounded. Dear sweet Willa, do you really not recognize your brother, Zane? Or the name of your sister?” He dropped his hand and his smile. “But then, why would you? You ran away from your family and your responsibilities.”
Nick’s gaze snapped to Willa’s face, and she looked stunned more than anything. Her voice was strained when she spoke. “My brother? I…I never even knew your name. What do you want with me?”
“We need you at home. Our parents are…not well.”
His words rang false, but Nick didn’t know if Willa would interpret them that way. He stared the fae down. “Why not send a message then? Why come in person?”
Zane shot him an angry look, but spoke to Willa. “Tell your pet to relax.”
Willa scowled. “He’s not my pet. Call him that again, and I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” Zane asked. “Run away again?”
“How do I even know you’re really my brother or that this Kyanna is my sister?”
“You don’t.” Zane shrugged. “But if you want to see your parents again before they die, I suggest you come with me now.”
“Willa, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
Zane’s gaze narrowed. “That’s where you’re wrong, pet.”
Willa’s fists clenched. Zane stepped toward her. Nick’s instincts kicked in at the same moment. He launched toward the other fae.
The Gargoyle Gets His Girl Page 12