Rose couldn’t stand the silence. “Everything okay?” The last time she’d seen him their faces had been inches apart, and now he seemed to keep his distance.
“I don’t know. Is everything okay?” He stood. “Have I done something to offend you?”
“What?” The irritation in his voice made her flinch. That was exactly how he’d sounded when they’d first met last Christmas. Before they’d gotten to know each other. “No. You haven’t offended me at all. Why would you ask me that?”
Colt jammed his feet into a pair of flip-flops sitting next to the backpack. “Because I can’t figure out why you keep running away from me like you did at the store and again when we were working on the cabin.” His eyes narrowed. She’d seen that look of distrust on his face before too. “I don’t get it. It’s like all of a sudden you can’t wait to get away from me. And I don’t even know what I did wrong.”
“Nothing.” Rose closed her eyes on the threatening tears. “You did nothing wrong.” Her voice had weakened but her pulse gained strength. “I didn’t mean to make you feel like I was trying to get away from you.” She’d been trying to escape her feelings. The same ones that overwhelmed her now.
“Then what were you trying to get away from?” He stepped closer, his gaze searching for something in hers.
“I’m not sure.” Conflicted feelings roiled inside of her. Colt was leaving. How could she give him her heart when he’d only take it with him? “I guess I’m a little jealous. You’re selling the store, going off on a big adventure.” Without her. “And you don’t seem the least bit afraid.” Or the least bit sad…
Colt’s head tilted as his eyes met hers again. “You moved here and renovated an inn. That’s a pretty big adventure too.” He said the words with something that sounded like admiration. “Were you scared?”
Rose took her time thinking back. Truthfully, she hadn’t had much time to be scared. “I was,” she finally decided. “But it was a different kind of fear. It was a fear that made me feel more alive.” The same way Colt made her feel when she stood this close to him.
“I know what you mean.” His eyes seemed fixated on her lips, and there went her heart—dropping like someone had thrown it off a cliff.
Colt didn’t speak. He didn’t need to because his eyes told her so much. They told her he felt that heat simmering between them. They told her he wanted to touch her, he wanted to pick up where they’d left off. And God help her, she couldn’t stop her head from tipping forward with a nod of invitation.
The man took his time leaning in to kiss her, but he wasn’t hesitating. He was observing. Her eyes, her lips.
Just when she thought the anticipation might cause her heart to burst, he touched his lips to hers. That was all it took to break apart her resolve. Right away, her knees buckled and she leaned into him, her whole body releasing the earlier tension with a sigh. Colt’s lips were firm and insistent as they met hers, but they were somehow tender too. He smelled like the woods—like sunshine and pine. His arms came around her again, stealing her away from time and circumstance and all rationality. And maybe this kiss was worth any potential pain it would bring her…
Colt pulled back and brought his hand to her face, skimming his thumb lightly down her cheek. He was observing her again, looking into her. “I’ve wanted to do that for nineteen years.”
Years? Did he say years? She couldn’t find the words to respond. She was still too caught up in the hunger, in a desperation she couldn’t understand. Rose murmured something unintelligible and urged his lips back to hers. This time the kiss didn’t move slowly. It accelerated straight into mouths opening, tongues exploring. She pressed her body to his, wanting less between them—less space, less circumstances, less reality.
“Auntie Rose! Where are yooooouuuu?”
It took Ollie’s words a few seconds to register. Her nephew was looking for her. And he couldn’t find her kissing Colt.
Gasping, Rose pulled away.
Colt stared at her. She stared back.
“Yoo-hoo! Auntie Rose!” This time the shout came from Maya. They were getting closer.
“I sold the store. It’s done.” He delivered the words like an apology.
She wanted to ask if he could still break the deal. It couldn’t be too late. And yet she knew she had no right to plead with him to stay. She had no right to say anything that might take this opportunity away from him. So instead she stepped out of his reach. “This shouldn’t have happened. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…” She couldn’t finish the thought. “I…should get back. I still need to finish the cabins. The Clearys are coming tomorrow.”
He nodded, a sad look in his eyes.
Rose tore away from him, jogging to meet her niece and nephew. But no matter how fast she moved, she couldn’t seem to outrun the emotions stirred up by that simple kiss.
Chapter Thirteen
Dahlia
What do you want to do today?”
Dahlia unlocked the car so she and Maya could climb in. They’d dropped Ollie off at camp, but she hadn’t wanted Maya to overdo walking around on her ankle, so they’d planned to have a girls’ day out. Which was perfect, since Lillian was still pouting at Dahlia’s house. Ever since the confrontation with Rose yesterday, their mother had been playing the martyr card, and she’d had enough of trying to talk her mother out of the poor-me routine.
“I’m hungry,” her daughter announced, clicking in her seatbelt. “Let’s have breakfast at the Crazy Moose.”
“Fabulous idea.” Dahlia turned up the radio and headed in that direction, humming along to a Shania Twain classic. This outing was exactly what she and Maya needed—a fun morning away from the unpacking and craziness at home. Plus, she could show her daughter how much fun this town could be. “After breakfast, we can go to that cool boutique and look for a new first day of school outfit.”
“Yes!” Her daughter let her head fall back against the seat. “I don’t have anything to wear to school. Kids have different clothes here than they did back home.”
Dahlia didn’t miss the way Maya kept referring to Minneapolis as their home. They had built a life there, creating so many memories. But she hoped her daughter would come to think of Juniper Springs as her home soon too.
Even just shy of nine o’clock, a line had already formed outside of the small restaurant—a favorite on Main Street. Tourist season might be winding down, but there were plenty of locals who made the lumberjack breakfast at the Crazy Moose a weekly staple in their diets.
Dahlia pulled into the first parking spot she could find, and they got out to take their place in line. She admired her daughter as they stood there. Maya had grown taller over the summer, already up to Dahlia’s chin. And instead of having a baby face, she’d started to look more mature, with her pronounced cheekbones and her slender jaw. “You’re such a talented, compassionate, brilliant, lovely girl,” she said, risking an eye roll.
Instead, her daughter smiled. “I know.”
She laughed, wanting to tell her daughter to hold on to that confidence, no matter what else happened in life. No matter if her husband someday cheated on her and left her. “Never forget how amazing you are, how strong.”
“Okay, okay.” There was the eye roll she knew and loved. “Hey, can I go pet that puppy over there?” She pointed to where an elderly couple stood on the other side of the Crazy Moose’s sign. The puppy in question looked to be an adorable white lab mix.
“Sure, honey. I’ll hold our place.” Dahlia managed to grab Maya’s hand before her daughter bolted away. “Make sure you ask first, though. Right?”
“I know, I know.” Maya ran off and stopped a few feet away from the couple, cautiously asking permission. They nodded and invited her right over. The puppy seemed ecstatic to meet a new friend. The second Maya sat down, the little cutie climbed right into her lap and started to lick her face.
Maybe they needed a dog. Marigold was a great substitute, but the kids didn’t have to take responsi
bility for Rose’s dog. It would be good for them to—
“Hi there.” Dr. Jolly appeared in front of her, somehow looking quite different without her scrubs on. She was as beautiful as ever, maybe even more so in the casual white sundress she wore.
“Hi.” Dahlia immediately glanced around to see if Ike was with her but couldn’t find him anywhere.
“This place is packed, huh?” The doctor frowned at the line in front of them. “I’m meeting a friend here, but I didn’t realize we’d have to come a half hour before we wanted to eat.”
“I know. It’s always crazy busy.” Dahlia checked on Maya with a quick glance before smiling at Dr. Jolly.
“How’s Maya’s ankle?” The doctor spotted her daughter with the puppy.
“She’s doing great.” As much as it had embarrassed her when Maya had chosen Dr. Jolly over Ike, she had to admit, the woman had a way with children. She’d been very thorough with instructions for keeping the swelling at a minimum. “We’ve been icing and keeping the brace on like you said. It doesn’t seem to be bothering her much at all.”
“Wonderful.” Dr. Jolly looked around before facing her directly. “Hey, I have a question for you.” Her tone had quieted. “If you don’t mind me asking.”
“Oh.” A question? What could the doctor possibly want to question her about? “No. Of course I don’t mind.”
The woman leaned in closer. “Is there anything going on between you and Ike?” She closed her eyes and did a quick shake of her head as though she was embarrassed before she looked at Dahlia again. “I mean, I heard that you two dated last winter, but I wasn’t sure if you were still together.”
“Uh. Well…” Dahlia struggled to contain her surprise. She glanced to check on Maya again, but the puppy was gone. At some point her daughter had come back and now stood close enough to hear everything they were saying. “No,” she finished quickly. “We’re not together. We never were, really.” She shut her mouth so she didn’t keep explaining. Maya had no idea she and Ike had ever even gone on a date.
Her daughter’s eyes had narrowed and she crossed her arms.
Dr. Jolly didn’t seem to notice Maya. “Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I really like him, that’s all. I know it’s not the best idea to have a huge crush on your boss, but who can blame me right?”
“Right.” She couldn’t seem to find her smile.
“Not that anything will come of it,” the doctor went on. “But obviously I didn’t want to move that direction if he’s seeing someone.”
“Well, he’s not seeing me.” That wasn’t a lie. “We’re not seeing each other.” Because of that scowl on her daughter’s face right here.
Dr. Jolly peered over her shoulder. “Oh, hey, Maya. How’s the ankle feeling?”
“It’s fine,” her daughter said with a stiff lower lip.
“Good!” The doctor appeared to detect Maya’s sudden attitude. “Your mom said you’re doing a great job icing it and wearing the brace.”
Maya nodded but kept her eyes cast downward.
“Well, keep it up and you’ll be out of the brace in no time,” Dr. Jolly told her.
“We have space for a party of two,” the hostess called from the doorway.
“Oh, that’s you guys.” The doctor shooed them forward. “Hope you enjoy your breakfast.”
Dahlia thanked her before walking into the restaurant with Maya. The hostess seated them at a table near the window and left them with a promise that the waitress would be by to take their order in a few.
She sat down across from Maya and braced herself for the impending confrontation.
“You went on a date with Ike last Christmas?” her daughter demanded.
Dahlia bought time by situating her purse on the windowsill next to her. She could fib and tell her Dr. Jolly was wrong. Or she could be honest and upset Maya all over again. Neither seemed like a good option. Dahlia hated lying. Even for a good cause. Besides…she did have feelings for Ike. It had caused her physical pain to tell Dr. Jolly there was nothing between them.
She inhaled deeply and trudged on into uncharted territory. “Maya, honey, you know I love you and Ollie very much. You two are my whole world.”
Her daughter’s glare didn’t budge. And? it seemed to silently say.
Amazing how a look could rip right through her. “That will never change. No matter what. You two have always come first in my life, and you always will.” Yes, she was avoiding the question, but the answer she’d given was the only one that mattered.
“You dated Dr. Ike?” Maya leaned halfway across the table. “I heard what Dr. Jolly said. You dated him?”
“Not exactly.” She held back an aching sigh. How could she ever put this in terms her daughter would understand? “I went on a date with him. He’s a wonderful man. And we enjoyed dinner together one evening while I was here last winter.” She didn’t want to lie to Maya, but she also didn’t need to give her daughter details about her dating life. She didn’t need to tell Maya how she’d kissed the man. How he’d kissed her like no one else ever had. She didn’t need to tell her daughter how they’d kept in touch on the phone after she’d gone back to Minnesota.
Maya straightened, her shoulders rigid. “You can’t go on dates with people.” She sounded exactly like Dahlia when she forbid her children from doing something dangerous.
The only problem was, Maya didn’t get to parent her. “I understand how you feel—”
“No you don’t, Mom,” her daughter interrupted. “You don’t understand how I feel. Did your parents ever get divorced? Did your dad move to a whole other country and you only got to see him like twice a year?”
“No.” Her parents had plenty of issues, but they’d stuck it out. Dahlia would’ve too. She would’ve stayed unhappily married for her children’s sake if Jeff hadn’t made the decision for her. She would do anything for her kids.
“You’re all me and Ollie have.” The tremble in her daughter’s voice sliced clean through her heart. “Now we live in a new place, and I don’t even have any friends. So I don’t want Ike to take you away. I don’t want you going on dates. Not with him or anyone else.”
What could she do but nod? This wasn’t about Maya being difficult. Her daughter was dealing with major uncertainties and fear. And she couldn’t ignore that. Being a mom meant putting her own life aside to make sure her children were healthy and secure. “I understand that, honey. I’m not planning to date anyone right now.” Maybe when things settled. Maybe when Maya and Ollie had more connections here. When they’d grown up a little. But she couldn’t ask Ike to wait for that day. Especially when he had someone as wonderful as Dr. Jolly interested in him. It wasn’t fair for her to keep him waiting in the wings when she had no idea how long her children would need. “I know things have been hard, honey. But we’ll get through it. And I’m here for you. Anytime you want to talk.”
“I know.” Her daughter opened the menu that had been sitting on the table. “You’re the best mom in the whole world.”
The compliment gave Dahlia something to hold on to in the midst of her sadness. Yes, she would give up anything for her children, but it hurt to give up on the hope she’d experienced when Ike touched her.
Over the next hour, she managed to keep her feelings at bay while she chatted with her daughter over a stack of peach-berry crumble pancakes. They talked about the upcoming school year, and even though she was nervous, Maya also seemed ready to have some semblance of a routine again. That was her daughter—structured and routine, just like her.
After they’d finished up, Dahlia paid the bill and they walked out of the restaurant. She checked the time. Ike would be leaving for his lunch break in about an hour, and she wouldn’t feel like anything was resolved until she talked to him.
She couldn’t seem to stop replaying the conversation she’d had with Dr. Jolly. Dahlia couldn’t hold him back.
From their many talks, she happened to know that Ike enjoyed walking through the park to the d
eli on the days he was at the office and, if she timed things right, she could easily catch up with him there.
“Hey, honey. Do you think we could put off the shopping trip until this afternoon?” Right now she was too distracted to think about much else. “Maybe we could go pick up ingredients for your favorite chocolate chip cookies, and you could show Gigi how to make them?”
“Yes!” Her daughter led the way down the sidewalk, skipping to the car. “That’ll make Gigi happy. She seems sad.”
Dahlia unlocked the car door and caught herself rolling her eyes. That must be genetic. “Gigi’ll be okay. She and Auntie Rose had a little issue, but they’ll talk it out soon enough.”
“You never let Ollie and me wait to talk things out.” Maya climbed into the backseat. “We’re usually grounded until we fix the problem.”
“You’re right. It’s always best to solve the issue right away.” If she’d learned that earlier in life, maybe she and Jeff wouldn’t have skirted around so many of their own problems. “But some issues take a little longer to resolve.” Especially when Lillian was involved. Her mother didn’t exactly understand the taking responsibility for her part thing.
After a quick trip to the grocery store, Dahlia pulled into the driveway of their new home. The place wasn’t nearly as large as their house in Minnesota had been, but it had more charm—at least on the outside. The three-bedroom bungalow had white paint with black shutters and a bright red front door. She’d thought about putting out some fun chairs and decorations on the front porch, but there hadn’t been time for that yet. Maybe when things settled down. For the time being, that seemed to be her answer for everything.
She and Maya unloaded the bags and carted them into the house while her daughter chatted about how she wanted to be a baker like Auntie Magnolia someday.
Dahlia had always envied her sister’s gift for baking. “I think that would be a great job. You could even start your own business like Auntie Mags.”
The Summer Sisters (Juniper Springs Book 2) Page 14