Just a Kiss

by Denise Hunter

  He felt a pang of longing that started as a surface wound and burrowed deep until he ached from the inside out. He’d never have that with Paige. He was just her buddy. Her pal. Maybe she even had feelings for Beau still. Maybe that was why she’d been desperate for a date tonight.

  The ache bloomed until it pressed against his lungs, making his breaths quick and shallow. He kept his eyes on Beau, not daring to look at Paige for fear she’d see his every thought.

  Somehow he got through the rest of the ceremony. He made it down the aisle without tripping, endured the receiving line, and made it through a short photo shoot.

  By the time he reached the reception hall at the community center, his jaws hurt from holding a fake smile in place. White twinkle lights, candles, and some kind of poufy fabric draped here and there made the place feel intimate and romantic. Lucy had done a terrific job.

  The bride and groom were announced and applauded, then the strains of “The Way You Look Tonight” began to play. Riley watched from the corner of the room as the happy couple, all eyes on them, shared their first dance.

  When the song was over, other guests joined the bride and groom on the dance floor. He scanned the transformed interior and found Paige sitting at a round table near the dance floor with Aunt Trudy.

  He made his way through the crowd, stopping to chat with neighbors as he went. Several of them hadn’t seen him since his return and inquired about his injury and his prosthesis. They weren’t happy until he’d filled in all the details, and by the time he arrived at the table, his mood had hit a new low.

  It took an effort to smile at Paige. “Sorry it took so long.”

  “No worries. We were just catching up.”

  His eyes swung to his aunt. “You look pretty, Aunt Trudy,” he said over the loud music. It didn’t escape him that it was a nicer compliment than he’d given Paige.

  “I passed pretty about twenty years ago, but I appreciate your saying so.”

  He shot Paige a look. “She never could take a compliment.”

  “Hey, Paige.”

  A guy he didn’t recognize set a hand on Paige’s shoulder. He had dark hair, pushed up at the front, and reminded Riley of a young Tom Hanks.

  “Let’s dance.”

  She gave him a polite smile. “No thanks. I’m kind of tired.”

  “Aw, come on. It’s a great song.”

  “Maybe later.”

  He shrugged and squeezed through the crowd on the dance floor, disappearing into the throng.

  “Who was that?” And hadn’t he noticed Paige’s date was sitting right here?

  “Scott Lewis. Remember him? He was a couple grades behind us.”

  “A couple? Isn’t he like eighteen?”

  “More like twenty or twenty-one. Too young for me, though.”

  “It’s just a dance,” Aunt Trudy said. She missed the dim look he gave her. “You should have some fun. You’re only young once.”

  His heart twisted at the thought of Paige with another man. He didn’t know if he could stand seeing some other guy’s hands on her again.

  But he was leaving soon, and what did he want for her? An empty house with nothing but cats for company? She deserved to find someone. Maybe not Scott Lewis, but someone.

  “She’s right,” he forced out, his throat tightening with the words. “You should dance.”

  “You’re my date. You dance with me.”

  “It’s all I can do to stay upright. I saw Dylan earlier. You should ask him.”

  She gave him a long, hard look. Something shifted in her eyes. Hardened. The corners of her lips tightened as she stared him down.

  He lifted his shoulders and gave her a What? look.

  She lifted her chin. “Fine. Maybe I will.”

  “You should.”

  She turned her back to him and set her tiny handbag on the table. “Could you watch my bag for me, Miss Trudy?” And then she was gone.

  Chapter 22

  Riley watched Paige as she scouted out Dylan at the punch bowl. The man’s face lit up with a smile as he caught sight of her approach.

  They talked through three songs, gradually shifting toward a corner, out of the way. A few minutes later Dylan seemed only too happy to abandon the spot, pulling her onto the dance floor. As if the universe was conspiring against Riley, the band segued to a slow song.

  Dylan took Paige into his arms, resting his hands on the curve of her hips. They swayed together, Paige’s hands resting on his shoulders. She looked comfortable in his arms, content.

  The ache that had begun during the wedding ceremony spread through Riley’s body. If only it could be him. If only he’d been patient enough to wait out Paige’s relationship with Beau. If only he’d been there for her as she’d grieved the loss. Maybe her feelings would’ve changed. Instead he’d run away.

  Dylan leaned close to catch something Paige said, taking the opportunity to gather her closer.

  Every muscle in Riley’s body went tense as he forced his eyes away. Was he some kind of masochist, that he had to watch?

  It should be him out there with her. He should be healthy and whole and working to win her over instead of watching from a distance while someone else wormed his way into her heart. He tugged at the tight collar as a suffocating heat rose up his neck. Was there any air in this place?

  “Don’t you think it’s about time you told her?”

  His eyes flew to Aunt Trudy. She was giving him one of those looks. Her lips tight, one of her sparse brows cocked at an angle.

  He made himself settle casually back in his seat. “Told her what?”

  “I may be old, but I’m not blind.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t you give me that. I’ve watched you pine away for her for years. Watched you die a thousand deaths while she was with your brother. Now’s your chance, young man, and you’re wasting it. You know you Callahan men only love once. It’s proven true for generations.”

  “Stay out of it, Aunt Trudy.”

  She crossed her arms, scowling. “I’ve never known you to be a coward, but I’m starting to wonder.”

  His spine stiffened as heat flooded his face. A coward? He’d gone off to war. Had watched his friend bleed out. Had lost a flipping leg. He clamped down on the words and focused on Aunt Trudy instead.

  “That’s pretty ironic, coming from you.”

  “Don’t you sass me, young man.”

  “Sheriff Colton’s been after you for years, and you’ve turned him down time and time again. Despite the fact that you clearly have feelings for him.”

  A flush rose to her cheeks. “That’s altogether different.”

  “And why is that?”

  Her mouth opened, then closed. Then opened again. And closed. “It just is,” she said when she finally collected herself. She snapped her head away from him.

  “The only difference is . . .” He leaned forward, planting his elbows on the table. “It’s easier to tell someone else what they should do than to do it yourself.”

  As if the universe was also conspiring against Aunt Trudy, Sheriff Colton wandered over. He lowered himself into the empty seat on the other side of her and greeted them both.

  Riley felt sorry for Colton’s bad timing. Aunt Trudy had already turned her back to him. He took pity on the man. “I heard the reunion went well. Must’ve been nice seeing all your old friends.”

  Sheriff Colton straightened his tie. “It was good to catch up with the gang. Hadn’t seen some of them in ten years or more.” His eyes drifted to Aunt Trudy. “You’re looking awfully nice tonight, Trudy. I like your dress.”

  She muttered something Riley couldn’t hear.

  “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “I can get it myself.”

  Zac and Lucy stepped off the dance floor and took a seat at the table, bringing some much-needed distraction. Riley complimented Lucy on the decorations, and they made small talk until Zac and Lucy bec
ame absorbed in each other again. Across the table Miss Trudy was still giving the sheriff the cold shoulder.

  The music shifted to a faster song, and Riley’s eyes found Paige and Dylan on the edge of the dance floor. His whole body sighed in relief as they separated and began dancing independently as the jiggy beat of “Country Girl” filled the space.

  His eyes slid over to Dylan. He moved effortlessly to the beat, taking Paige’s hand and spinning her until she laughed. On top of everything else—looks, money, and working legs—the man had rhythm.

  Riley’s eyes swung back to Paige, to the smile on her face. The joy sparkling in her eyes. The ache inside about made him double over. If he loved her—and he did—shouldn’t he want this for her? Shouldn’t he want her smiling and laughing and happy? Even if he wasn’t the one making it happen?

  Aunt Trudy’s rising voice drew his attention back to the table. “Well, you’re the one who left me, Danny Colton! Don’t you forget that!”

  A pink flush rose into Colton’s face, clashing with his red mustache. “It was the NBA, Trudy. What did you expect me to do? Turn the Celtics down? It was my dream.”

  “If you loved me you would’ve told me that instead of keeping it all a big secret!”

  Two angry slashes formed between his brows. “You knew I loved you.”

  “Could’ve fooled me. Seemed you couldn’t leave me in the dust fast enough!”

  His face turned mottled red. “And what about you? I’d barely unpacked my bags in Boston before I got word you’d married Tom Barclay. Tom Barclay, Trudy! How do you think that made me feel, huh? So much for your love.”

  “I was pregnant, you big buffoon!”

  Colton blinked at her with slack-jawed shock.

  Aunt Trudy’s eyes widened as if she just realized what she’d said. She snapped her mouth shut.

  “Shazam,” Zac said quietly.

  “Oh boy,” Riley muttered.

  Aunt Trudy sprang to her feet and dashed away.

  A half second later, Colton scrambled off in the opposite direction. His height made him visible even as he skirted the crowd. He went out the front door.

  “I’ll go talk to her,” Lucy said.

  Zac helped her up. “I’ll come with you.”

  Riley stared after them long after they disappeared into the crowd.

  Aunt Trudy had been pregnant when she’d married Uncle Tom? But she’d never had any children. She must’ve miscarried after the wedding. Surely she wouldn’t have given the baby up for adoption after going to the trouble of getting married. Besides, there was no keeping something like that a secret in a town the size of Summer Harbor.

  And clearly this was the first Colton was hearing of the child they’d conceived.

  Riley palmed the back of his neck. What a mess. Colton was ticked Aunt Trudy had moved on so quickly, and Aunt Trudy was angry that Colton had deserted her in her time of need. Maybe now that the truth was out they could finally work through it.

  He didn’t know how long he sat there pondering the pair of them. He was dimly aware of toasts being made and more music and dancing as he sat guarding Paige’s little purse.

  Sometime later Paige flopped into the chair next to him. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair tousled and sexy. “Whew! That band is really good, isn’t it?”

  “Run out of dance partners?” He didn’t mean to sound so grumpy, but why’d she even ask him to be her date if she was going to spend the night dancing with every guy here?

  “I needed a breather.” She fanned her face. “It’s hot in here.” She chugged down the punch she’d brought with her. “Where’s Miss Trudy?”

  “She went out for some air.”

  “Is she okay? I saw the sheriff over here.”

  “There was a—quarrel. Lucy and Zac went after her.”

  “What happened? Did they—” Her eyes narrowed at some spot over his shoulder, then toggled up to his, widening. “Oh no. Dance with me.”

  “Thought you were tired.”

  “Scott won’t leave me alone, and he’s headed over here.”

  “So ask Dylan.”

  “He had to leave. I need you to dance with me right now, Callahan.”

  “I couldn’t dance when I had two legs.”

  “Funny.” She popped to her feet and grabbed his hands.

  He let her pull him up. For just a second he forgot about his leg, and he wobbled a moment.

  Paige, on some kind of avoidance mission, didn’t even notice.

  Ten seconds later they were in a shadowed corner of the dance floor. The sultry strains of “I Don’t Dance” began floating through the room. His heart cheered the slow song selection while his brain sent up warning flares.

  Paige came closer, her hands sliding up his lapels and stopping at his shoulders. He set his hands at her waist, praying he wouldn’t fall as they shifted their weight slowly from one foot to the other.

  The heat of her body seeped through the thin material of her dress. Her fingers moved at his collar, sending a hum of electricity down his spine.

  “Thanks for the rescue,” she said. “He’s a nice enough guy, but he’s way too young for me.”

  He looked down into blue eyes that were filled with gratitude, and something inside him puffed up. You’re no hero, Callahan. But the way she was looking at him made him feel otherwise.

  “No problem.” Except his heart was beating a million miles per hour, and he was having thoughts he was pretty sure she’d smack him upside the head for.

  He couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from hers.

  “See, you can dance.”

  “The song title would suggest otherwise.”

  “You’re doing great. You’ve been working really hard. I can hardly even tell a difference.”

  “My gait’s not quite right.”

  “You’re being too hard on yourself. You should be proud.”

  A couple box-stepped nearby and Paige pressed closer, avoiding a collision. Riley’s hands slid around her back before he’d given them permission to do so. One of her arms had wound around his neck, and the other hand lay flat against his heart. He hoped she couldn’t feel how fast it was beating.

  “So what happened with Sheriff Colton?”

  Hoping to distract himself from her proximity, he told her the whole story. Paige gasped when he told her the secret.

  “She married your Uncle Tom because she was pregnant? With the sheriff’s baby?”

  “Apparently.”

  “Oh, wow. She must’ve miscarried, right?”

  “I guess so.”

  “No wonder she’s so crotchety with him.”

  “He didn’t even know about the baby. You should’ve seen the look on his face. He was shocked. Devastated.”

  “And Miss Trudy just walked off after that?”

  “More like ran. I don’t think she meant for it to come out. She was pretty flustered.”

  “Oh, poor Miss Trudy. Poor Sheriff. We should do something.”

  He gave her a look. “We are. We’re staying out of it.”

  “But—”

  “It’s none of our business.”

  She closed her mouth, but he knew Paige. She wouldn’t leave well enough alone.

  Chapter 23

  Paige frowned at Riley. Everything in her wanted to see Miss Trudy and Sheriff Colton get their happily-ever-after. But her frown didn’t last long. How could it, when she was staring into Riley’s deep green eyes from inches away?

  His hands burned against her back, and it was taking everything in her not to press closer and lay her head against his chest.

  He let go with one hand and reached for the chain around her neck, gently pulling. The ring she wore on the necklace slid from under her dress, sending a shiver down her arms.

  He held the ring in his palm. “Still wear it, huh?”

  She nodded. It was the only thing she had of her dad’s. He’d worn it every day. It was his father’s airborne ring from World War II.

&
nbsp; “He would’ve been proud of you, you know.” Riley dropped the ring, letting it slither back under her dress.

  “Thanks.” She didn’t want to think of her dad tonight. It only reminded her of how alone she was. Of being abandoned. First by her dad’s death, then by Darleen’s departure.

  And let’s not forget Riley. He abandoned you too.

  Over his shoulder she could see Beau and Eden dancing, their foreheads together, their eyes closed. They seemed so happy, so in love. Paige felt a conflicting mix of joy and envy. Sometimes it seemed like everyone had someone except her.

  Her eyes fell to Riley’s lapel, where a white rose was pinned. All the Callahan men were wearing one, plus Eden’s dad. Miss Trudy and Lucy wore lovely matching corsages made with sweetheart roses. They were family.

  “What’s wrong?” Riley’s voice vibrated against her hand.

  She smoothed his already-smooth lapel. “Nothing. I was just thinking about the wedding.”

  “You were frowning.”

  She gave him a wry smile. “I’m a single woman in my midtwenties. Weddings do that to us.”

  “There’s half a dozen men in this room who’d snap you up in an instant if you gave them a second look. You’ll find someone, Warren.”

  She didn’t want just someone. She wanted him. Any uncertainty about her feelings for him had dissipated the instant his arms had closed around her. He was home. Maybe she was a little confused about that family thing. Maybe that played into it somehow. But she was definitely in love with him. And that knowledge scared her to death.

  “Don’t be sad.” His arms tightened around her.

  Giving in, she rested her head against his chest, curling her fingers into his lapel. They were barely swaying, his thighs brushing hers. He was so big and strong. He made her feel safe and cherished.

  She wanted to freeze this moment in time, stay in it forever. If she closed her eyes she could even pretend they were really together. That he loved her the same way she loved him.

  But that wouldn’t be real. She’d only be lying to herself. Maybe Riley had noticed she was a woman, but it didn’t matter. He wasn’t interested in her the same way. She remembered Lucy’s advice to talk to him and barely contained the dry laugh. Hadn’t he practically begged her to dance with someone else? Hadn’t she had to force him onto the floor with her?