Discovering Love on Cranberry Lane (Island County Book 11)

by Karice Bolton

  Colby’s mouth fell open. “You are? Why? You already have him.”

  I laughed and shook my head. “I don’t have him, honey.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  I shook my head, and Colby tapped Aaron’s shoulder to ask.

  “No, no, no.” I pleaded with my son not to ask Aaron a single thing.

  “My mom thinks she has to bid on your uncle to go on a date with him.”

  Aaron scowled and shook his head, taking a bite of the red candy apple. “My uncle already likes you.”

  I had no cluck left in me, and my feathers felt downright droopy as I stared at the two best friends happily eating their apples.

  I saw a woman dressed as a maid come into the library and realized it was Sally Montgomery, my boss. I waved at her, and she smiled as she made her way over.

  Obviously, she recognized me under all the feathers too.

  “Okay, ladies of Fireweed. You have one more shot. I repeat, you have one more shot at winning a date with one of the sexiest men on—”

  Jake interrupted Jewels, chuckling. “Hey, I thought that was me, babe.”

  She turned and winked at her husband. “Of course, it’s you, but I’m not going to auction you off to anyone.”

  The crowd giggled, and the women closest to Jewels got serious. I turned to look at the boys and motioned for them to come with me.

  “I’m going to bid on the next one,” I whispered to Sally.

  “Oh, is it the sheriff?” she asked, and I nodded.

  I guess my secret was out of the bag.

  I took a deep breath and blew it out quickly before trudging forward to mark my territory. Colby and Aaron hung out behind me as I squared my shoulders and readied for battle.

  “Okay, ladies…” Jewels scanned the crowd. “Our very own sheriff is willing to give you one night of handcuffs if you play your cards right.”

  I glanced at Colby and Aaron, who looked extremely confused, and I hid my chuckle.

  “Come on out, Sheriff,” Jewels called into her microphone.

  I watched the curtain behind Jewels wiggle, and I drew a deep breath as a man dressed in black and wearing a horse head walked over to Jewels.

  “Oh, wow. We’ve got a real-life stallion here, ladies.” Jewels winked at me, and I was so grateful the mask covered my face.

  “Let’s start the bidding.” Jewels flashed a wicked grin in my direction as the stallion stared at me.

  Before I realized what was happening, the bidding got out of control, the increments climbing by ten bucks a bid. We were quickly approaching my cutoff.

  “Two hundred dollars,” a woman yelled from out of nowhere.

  I scowled in her direction and yelled, “Two ten,” knowing that was more than my budget allowed.

  “Two twenty,” the woman nearly hissed as she came into view, looking like a witch of some sort.

  “Don’t let that woman win,” Sally hissed, winking at me. “I’ve got you covered.”

  I shook my head, and Sally’s eyes widened. “As your boss, I’m telling you to go big. I’ve got you.”

  I let out a nervous laugh as Jewels repeated the last bid before the final call.

  I stared at the woman walking toward me and glared at her as my fingers tingled with anticipation.

  “Two fifty,” I shouted as the stallion clapped his hands.

  “Okay, folks. Things are getting heated between the chicken and the warlock,” Jewels narrated. “Do I hear a Two sixty? Two sixty?”

  The warlock scowled at me and then turned her displeasure to Jewels before shaking her head.

  “We’ve got the highest bid of the night on a man who didn’t even reveal his face.” Jewels looked impressed. “Thanks, everyone, for participating. Our silent auction is still happening in the back of the library, and our baking auction will be happening shortly.” Jewels called the win, and I nearly did a cartwheel over to the stallion as he removed his mask.

  I whispered a quick thank you to Sally before jogging over to Dwayne.

  “A chicken, huh?” His grin lit up my world as I glanced behind me to see Colby and Aaron. “It suits you.”

  “Why does everyone keep saying that?”

  His smile widened as he hung his head lower. “Because you make the cutest chicken in the world.”

  “I told you my uncle likes you,” Aaron said, giggling as he took another bite of apple.

  “So, do you like me?” Dwayne whispered.

  “More than I ever knew.” I smiled as he touched the tip of my beak with his thumb.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Dwayne surprised me at the café at the end of my shift to take me out for lunch. The school day started late due to some teacher conference, and we didn’t have to pick up the boys for another hour. Apparently, the sheriff wanted to take advantage of some alone time, which was good since I’d been tormenting myself since the night my ex showed up at Dwayne’s house.

  “You okay?” Dwayne asked, glancing at me from the driver’s seat.

  We’d left my car at the café, and he was driving us to a restaurant I’d wanted to try since we’d moved here, a place called Mudflat Tavern on the water.

  I nodded and looked out the window. The November sunshine was a nice change from the constant mist we’d been experiencing.

  “I can tell something’s wrong.” He tried again. “We’ve barely communicated since the party. Was I too expensive?”

  I chuckled and turned toward him. “You always know how to make me smile.”

  “One of my many talents.” He found a place to park, and we made our way to the restaurant.

  Dwayne held my hand in his, and I knew he felt that something was off. The problem was that I wasn’t sure I even knew how to explain the problem.

  He was a good man, getting involved with a woman who’d been involved with a not-so-good guy.

  We walked into the restaurant and the hostess immediately recognized the sheriff.

  “Usual spot okay?” she asked, and he nodded.

  I followed the woman to a table by the window. The view was gorgeous.

  I sat down and drew a slow breath as I took a menu.

  Our water glasses were filled, and Dwayne watched me. “Okay, spill it.”

  My eyes met his, and I shrugged. “I don’t really know what to spill. I’m conflicted.”

  “I can see that.” He took a sip of water. “Why don’t you tell me what about?”

  A sigh escaped my lips. “You. Me. The boys. My ex.”

  “Your ex shouldn’t factor into you, me, or the boys.”

  “But he does.” I shook my head. “And while he’s busy sneaking around the island, playing games with me, you’re dealing with real-life things. Real-life emotions.”

  “And you’re not?” His brow arched.

  I shrugged, looking down at the menu.

  “I suggest the burger and chili-cheese fries.” He smiled, trying to remove the tension between us.

  The tension I put there.

  I closed the menu and nodded just as the server came over and took our orders.

  “You’ve been through something I can’t even fathom. Someone you thought you’d spend the rest of your life with was ripped from you. You lost your sister, your brother-in-law…” I hated myself for bringing this up. “And now you’re having to deal with someone who can’t even stand up to her ex-husband.”

  Dwayne steepled his fingers and shook his head. “I don’t see it like that at all. And I’m not having to deal with anyone at all. I’m choosing to spend time with an incredible, lively, happy woman who makes me smile again.”

  “I’m a mess, Dwayne. You deserve way better than me.”

  “What about Colby? Is he a mess?” His eyes hardened.

  I shook my head. “Of course not.”

  “Why’s he any different from you?”

  “He’s a child. He did nothing wrong.”

  “You did nothing wrong,” Dwayne said, sighing.

  “I should ha
ve left sooner. I should have stood up to Marvin years ago. Now, he thinks he can push us around as much as he wants.”

  “I can put an end to that.”

  I shook my head. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. You shouldn’t have to. It’s not your mess. It’s not your battle. I’m embarrassed that you even have to know this part of my life exists.”

  “We all have our demons, Claire.” His eyes stayed on mine. “We all have things we wish we’d done differently.”

  I nodded, seeing the pain behind his eyes.

  “Every day, I wonder if I could have done something that would have changed the ending to my nightmare. Every day, I tormented myself recreating the scene I pulled up to and how I should have handled it differently.”

  I drew in a shaky breath, keeping my eyes on his as he continued.

  “But once you came into my life, I stopped.” He took another sip of water and let silence hang between us. “I stopped torturing myself. I started embracing the choices I made that day. It was Aaron or it was the others.”

  My breath caught in my throat as my eyes misted over. “I can’t even imagine.”

  “And I pray you never do.” His lips formed a thin line. “Your mess…” Dwayne smiled. “Your complications are making me see clearer.”

  I cocked my head. “How do you mean?”

  “I made a choice that day to save my nephew. I didn’t think twice about anything other than getting to him. My hope was to get to the others next.” He shook his head. “I couldn’t.”

  I blinked back tears. “Seeing you at the grocery store and hearing you put your friend in place reminded me of…” He let out a slow breath. “Her.”

  My eyes stayed on his and I felt a pull to this man like never before.

  “I know that’s not what you’re supposed to tell a woman you’re trying to be with, but my fiancée brought me joy. You bring me joy.” He laughed and shook his head. “And you might be relieved to know she considered herself to be a mess too. You two have a lot in common.”

  Hearing his words connected me in a way I didn’t understand. They created closeness to a woman I never met, and the love in his voice wrapped around me.

  “She sounds like she was a lovely woman.” I smiled.

  “Prickly, warm, demanding, funny.” He laughed. “All things you seem to demonstrate on a daily basis.”

  “And complication.”

  “I chose to be a policeman for a living. Do you think I shy away from drama?” His lip curled slightly, and I chuckled.

  “You have a good point.”

  He took a fry. “So, tell me, were you thinking about breaking up with me today, Claire?”

  His question shot me in the heart, and I blinked away the regret thrumming through my veins.

  “I had given it some serious thought. For your benefit, of course.” I twisted my lips into a frown.

  “Yes, of course.” He rolled his eyes, and I chuckled. “Do you remember how I said you shouldn’t trust my therapy skills a week or two ago?”

  I laughed and nodded, taking a bite of a chili-cheese fry.

  “I don’t think I should trust yours, either.”

  I giggled and shook my head.

  He pointed at me. “See?”

  “See what?” My brows rose.

  “Your giggle is infectious. I don’t care how many crazy exes you have out there. If you just give me a laugh now and again, I’ll fight them all off.”

  “I only have one, and I’m really feeling like I want to be the one to fight him off.”

  “Let’s hope you never get the chance.”

  I nodded, nearly scarfing down the fries. “Good recommendation on the food.”

  He smiled. “I know my way around this town.”

  “Obviously. I’d hope that’s a job requirement.”

  He laughed and a few minutes of silence rested between us as we ate our lunch.

  I watched the sailboats outside bobbing in the harbor and thought about how peaceful this island was.

  “You made a really great chicken the other night.”

  “Well, your stallion costume was pretty telling.” I pushed my empty plate away. “I just hope you can put your money where your mouth is.”

  His eyes darkened a shade, and he let out a low growl. “You’re making this lunch really hard to leave.”

  “I wasn’t kidding about what I said to my friend. I can ride ’em with the best of them.” I giggled. “I just didn’t like her choice of where to discuss it.”

  “Duly noted.”

  The chemistry between us was roaring alive, and all I wanted to do was feel his lips against mine.

  I glanced around the restaurant before lowering my voice. “How can I prove to you that I need a stallion?”

  I couldn’t believe the words tumbling out of my mouth, and I almost started laughing. Becca would be impressed.

  Or she’d be horrified.

  “Boy, oh, boy.” Dwayne smiled and sat back in the chair. “You’re going to keep me on my toes, aren’t you?”

  “Mmmhmm.”

  “Please, just don’t make me wear the horse head.” His eyes sparkled, and I couldn’t help but laugh as the server brought our check.

  When we’d made it to my car in the café’s parking lot, I didn’t want our time together to end. I knew he’d be busy with his life and job, and I’d be busy with mine.

  I also knew that everything he said to me at the table today, he meant, but I still couldn’t shake the feeling of being such a problematic addition to his life. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe in myself or that I had self-confidence issues. I just didn’t want to bog down his world.

  He walked me to the car, and before I climbed into the driver’s seat, he touched my chin softly, lifting it up.

  “I can tell you’re already doubting what I told you.”

  A breeze was picking up from the water as clouds rolled in, and I knew neither of us wanted the boys standing in the rain waiting for us.

  “I believe every single word you told me.”

  And I did.

  “Then what? How can I convince you to give this a shot with me? To let down your guard?” He narrowed the gap between us and ran his hands around my waist. “I’m not fragile, Claire. I won’t break.”

  I looked into his eyes as he brought his mouth down to mine, and all the worries vanished as he claimed another kiss from me.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “I need to talk to you about something,” Sally whispered as I reached for the coffee pot. “Just when you have a free second before you leave.”

  “Absolutely.” I nodded and tension knotted in my belly. Maybe she needed back the fifty she gave me as a bonus for the sheriff.

  Or the library.

  Or however one was to look at it.

  “Hey, Claire.” One of the locals waved and pointed at the booth I would have sat him at anyway, and I nodded.

  “Hi, Tony.” I waved as I poured coffee for another customer. “Earl Grey Tea, as usual?”

  He winked. “You got it. With a little sugar and a little nonfat.”

  I nodded and brought in a deep breath. I never knew I could enjoy delivering food and drinks so much. I got to meet the locals, catch up on the latest gossip, and find out fun things to do with Colby.

  Halloween night had been a lot of fun, but life got away from me, and I hadn’t even redeemed my night with the sheriff. I was still conflicted about the messiness of my world and how the sheriff would fit in it, but I wanted to do something about it.

  I’d decided to send my attorney information about my ex-husband’s behavior as well as some details of his business dealings. An entire week had gone by without spotting my ex or having an uneasy feeling. But that wasn’t enough for me. I was ready to finally confront him and give him one chance to leave us alone. Just the thought of the confrontation kind of excited me, and I had no idea why.

  Becca thought I was crazy, and maybe I was. But if I didn’t stand up for myse
lf in the marriage, I at least needed to stand up for myself out of it. Granted, this all depended on Marvin’s setting foot back on Fireweed.

  The door chimed and in walked Anthony Hill and Sophie. The energy in the café immediately shifted, and I wondered if they’d noticed.

  “Hi, Sophie.” I waved them in and found a booth for them that was a little more private than some.

  “Hey, Claire.” Sophie gave me a quick hug before taking a seat. “I heard you won the sheriff at the Halloween party.”

  I laughed. “I did, indeed.”

  “A lucky man.” Anthony smiled.

  “Why, thank you.” I glanced around the café and noticed how many of the tourists were staring in Anthony’s direction. “So, is this how it usually goes for you two?”

  Sophie chuckled. “You mean how do I put up with dating a rock star?”

  “Yeah, pretty much,” I teased.

  “Just take it one day at a time.” Sophie laughed and squeezed Anthony’s hand.

  “Would you two like coffee or juice?”

  “I’ll take an orange juice,” Sophie said. “And a coffee.”

  “Same.” Anthony opened the menu.

  “We were wondering if you and the sheriff might be free this Saturday for a dinner at our house?”

  My heart fluttered when she referred to Dwayne and me as a couple in that way. It was an exciting thought, even if we weren’t necessarily to that point.

  “I’ll see if he has any plans. I actually haven’t spoken to him much since the party.”

  “Perfect.” She handed me a business card. “You can text or call letting us know.”

  “Great. Thanks. I’ll go get your drinks.”

  By the time my shift was over, it felt like I’d been through a tornado. I never knew an island could be so popular in the rainy season.

  I found Sally in the back of the café in her office, and I knocked softly on the door.

  “You wanted to see me?” I stepped inside, hoping I hadn’t done something wrong.

  “Yes.” She smiled but had a reserved expression on her face as she let out a deep sigh.

  I took a seat and folded my hands in my lap.

  “I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll just come right out with it.” She sucked on her bottom lip as my pulse raced. “I’m moving back to Oklahoma.”