by Jean Oram
“Guess I do. My brother used to like scaring me, too.”
Maggie burst out laughing, suddenly remembering a long-forgotten memory. “Do you remember the time your brother and I teamed up and surprised you behind the library?”
“The slime incident of my sophomore year! It took me a full day to get stuff completely washed out.”
They laughed until Maggie’s stomach hurt. It felt so good to enjoy herself so freely. It had been way too long.
Canyon regained his composure first. “Want to head over to the concert? We can still get a good spot.”
She caught her breath. “Yeah, let’s.”
To her surprise, Canyon took her hand in his and they walked across the sand to the stage. Maggie kind of liked it.
People were starting to arrive, but there were still plenty of good places. Canyon led her to one near the front. They made small talk with some of the other beachgoers until the first song began.
The music matched Maggie’s good mood, and she danced like she never had before.
Canyon gave her a smile that made her stomach tingle a little, then he showed off his moves. Whereas Maggie was rusty, he danced like it was second nature.
Not only that, but he looked great as he danced. His smile lit up his face, and her eyes kept roaming to his muscles as they flexed naturally.
She pulled her attention away from him and focused on her own dance style. With as much fun as she was having, it was easy to shake off the rustiness and dance like she’d never stopped.
Canyon arched a brow and upped his game with moves she’d never seen. He’d probably learned them somewhere exotic.
That wasn’t going to deter her. Maggie had a good imagination and used to hold dance-offs with her friends on the weekends. She had plenty of lesser-known moves herself.
People around Canyon and Maggie gave them space, and soon started cheering them on.
Beads of sweat broke out around her hairline and dripped into her face. She barely took the time to wipe them away as she swung her arms and legs to the tune of the music.
The song ended, and people clapped and whistled. More were looking at her and Canyon than the band. She should’ve felt bad but didn’t. Her only thought was beating her world-traveling friend.
Before she had time to catch her breath, the next song began.
“You ready for more?” Canyon’s eyes held a dare.
“More? That was just a warmup! I haven’t even started yet, pretty boy.”
He threw his head back and laughed, then they both jumped into motion, moving along with the beat.
Others called out their names. People were choosing sides. It was officially a competition.
After the fourth song, Maggie was ready to drop from exhaustion, but pride kept her going. Canyon hadn’t even broken a sweat. He’d probably danced every night for the last seven years.
Maggie wasn’t going to let him win. She could rest later, even if it required alternating hot and cold packs all over her body. Between the crowd’s excitement and the looks Canyon kept giving her, she had enough energy to draw from to keep her going all night if needed.
Eventually, the band announced they were about to play their last song. That was the best news Maggie had heard since she’d started dancing. She would definitely spend the next day lying around, unable to move. But for now, she had one more dance.
She tilted her head at Canyon. “You ready to give up?”
“Me? Never!”
“Good.” Maggie put everything she had into the last song of the night. Her feet ached, her legs throbbed, her arms hurt—basically everything with a muscle cried out in pain.
Once the song was over, people crowded around them, giving high-fives and congratulations.
Chapter 9
Canyon grinned at Maggie while they were surrounded by the audience they’d attracted. She gave him her bright smile in return.
That girl had some serious moves. He’d danced all over the world but had never seen anyone like her.
It made her all the more alluring. It also shattered all his preconceived notions about her. Maybe she wasn’t the sweet, innocent southern girl he’d always thought her to be.
And those looks she kept throwing his way as they danced the night away… His heart sped up just thinking about them. Maybe the two of them stood a chance at something more than just friendship.
That was something he’d always wanted but never dared to hope for. Though they’d been good friends, Maggie had always been way out of his league—even before his father left the family poor and struggling.
When the crowd thinned, Canyon made his way over and put his arm around her. “Where’ve you been hiding those moves?”
“Just been waiting for the right time to bring them out.”
“I’m impressed.”
She beamed. “Really?”
“Yeah. So was everyone else.”
Maggie shrugged. “I was just having fun. It wasn’t like I was trying to show off or anything.” The shine in her eyes told him she was totally teasing.
“Sure, okay.” Canyon stepped back and stared into her eyes. The desire to place his lips on hers overwhelmed him. It took everything in him not to. He cleared his throat. “You wanna walk along the water? I know you’re not tired, but I wouldn’t mind soaking my feet.”
Maggie gave him a playful smirk. “Sure, if that’s what you want.”
He took her hand again and threaded his fingers between hers. They headed for the water and he kept his attention focused on that, because if he looked at her, he wasn’t sure he could keep his mouth to himself.
They removed their shoes and walked along the shore, the waves lapping over their ankles.
Canyon wanted to stop walking, pull her close, and kiss her. He’d ignored his feelings for her for a lifetime. After dancing and now holding hands, all those desires were exploding to the surface.
Maggie was the one girl he’d always wanted, but never thought he would have a chance with. Yet here she was, walking along the bay with him, her soft hand in his.
One thing was for sure—she was far different from all the other girls. He’d had one fling after another for all those years because he was trying to get his mind off the one he couldn’t have.
Now that he actually stood a chance, he needed to tread carefully. He would treat her like gold and deny his every desire to win her over by showing her how special she was. Maggie Kendrick deserved nothing short of his best.
She turned to him, breaking his thoughts. “This is really nice.”
Canyon squeezed her hand. “It really is.”
They walked for a while, then turned and headed back toward their shoes. His heart ached at the thought of having to let go of her hand, to go their separate ways.
He had work early in the morning but didn’t care. The only thing he wanted was to drink in more time with Maggie.
His mind raced as they headed for their sandals. He needed an excuse to stay there with her.
“Where did you learn to dance like that?” he asked.
“Just with my friends growing up.” She didn’t ask about his moves.
“In Georgia?”
Maggie sat and wiped sand from her feet. “Yeah.”
Canyon plunked down next to her, barely leaving an inch between them. “I was going to say, I don’t remember you dancing when you spent your summers here. I’d definitely remember that.”
She glanced at him and smiled.
His pulse raced again. She had an effect on him that nobody else did. “It’s nice to see you so happy again.”
Maggie tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
“You seemed so sad before. Like you had the weight of the world on your shoulders.”
She frowned, a little of the sadness returning to her eyes. “I suppose I did.”
Canyon wanted to kick himself for ruining her joy.
“When my engagement was broken, it felt like the end of the world.” She drew i
n a deep breath and looked up at the moon. “Like something was wrong with me.”
“What?” He cupped her chin and guided her to look at him. “There’s nothing wrong with you. Nothing at all. Don’t let anything that jerk said make you think less of yourself.”
She studied him but said nothing.
“I’ve known you forever. I speak as an expert.”
Maggie gave him a sad smile, then her eyes shone with tears.
Canyon’s throat closed up. He might break if she cried. “What is it?”
She blinked and a single tear ran down her face. “Actually, there is something wrong with me.”
He clenched his jaw. If her ex-fiancé were right there, Canyon would punch him into the next week. “I told you, no there isn’t.”
Maggie swallowed. “I can’t have kids. Nobody’s going to want to marry me.”
“Are you kidding me? Any man would be lucky to marry you.”
Another tear ran down her face and her beautiful lips trembled. “But I can never give a husband a child of his own.”
“There’s a thing called adoption, you know.”
More tears spilled onto her cheeks.
Canyon’s heart raced. Some jerk had broken her heart because she couldn’t give him kids? That was it? He’d been that close to marrying the most wonderful woman alive, and he’d treated her like she was nothing?
A range of emotions ran through him—anger at the loser who’d hurt her, pain for her heartache, and the desire that had been growing for her since he was just a kid.
Maggie’s mouth continued trembling as more tears fell.
Canyon couldn’t just sit there while she cried. He had to do something. He leaned closer to her and wiped a tear from her face.
She glanced up at him, a single teardrop clinging to her lashes.
Her pain overwhelmed him. He moved closer and kissed a tear away.
Maggie didn’t pull away. In fact, she didn’t move at all.
Canyon trailed kisses along the path of her tears until he reached the corner of her mouth. His heart pounded like he was a fourteen-year-old who had never kissed a girl.
He’d never kissed this girl before. The woman of his dreams, who had always been out of his reach.
She didn’t pull away, so he moved his lips to hers. They were so soft and sweet. She returned the kiss and put her hands on his bare arms. His skin tingled at her touch as though he’d gone his whole life without ever grazing hands with another.
Chapter 10
Maggie closed her eyes and relaxed, finding healing in Canyon’s kisses. His words rang through her mind.
Nothing was wrong with her. And his kind, gentle kisses seemed to prove the point further.
His touch was nothing like Dan’s had been. When Dan had kissed her, it had been rough. Harsh. Like he owned her rather than treasured her.
Now in Canyon’s arms, kissing him, Maggie felt valued. It was crazy, though, because they weren’t even romantically involved. Or were they now?
She shoved aside all thoughts and just enjoyed the moment. Canyon’s arms tightened around her, pulling her even closer.
Maggie breathed in his scent—he smelled like the salty sea air—and enjoyed the sweet, soft kisses.
He opened his mouth, and with it hers.
Her eyes flew open. This was happening too fast. It shouldn’t be happening at all. She wasn’t doing relationships or anything that came with them.
Maggie pulled away, gasping for air.
Canyon opened his eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“No, I… It’s just too fast.”
He took a deep breath and a range of expressions crossed his face. “I know. That’s why I’m sorry. It just hurt me to think about all the pain you’re in.”
Maggie’s heart skipped a beat. He actually cared about her heartache that much?
“I won’t do that again, Mags. I promise.”
She leaned against his shoulder. “It’s okay. Really.”
He wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “How long ago did that happen?”
“It’s been a couple years.” She drew in a deep breath. “I should be over it by now.”
“It’s hard to just get over something painful. Believe me, I know.”
Maggie nodded but wasn’t entirely sure what he was referring to. Was it his dad’s abandonment, or something else altogether?
They sat in silence for a while, watching the lazy lapping of the water onto the shore.
It felt good to be sitting there with Canyon, especially with his arm around her. He offered protection and comfort, things she hadn’t realized she’d needed so desperately.
But could they continue down this path as friends? The way he’d kissed her made her think there was more than just friendship behind it all. Or had he just gotten caught up in the moment, overcome by her grief? It was possible. They’d always been good friends growing up, in tune with what the other was feeling.
She yawned.
Canyon turned to her. “I should get you home.”
Maggie wanted to protest, but she was too tired. Her muscles were aching even more than they had been while dancing. Not only that, but her eyelids were growing heavy. Despite her desire to remain in his arms, she nodded. He was right. She needed to get some sleep.
He helped her up and she slid on her flip-flops. Once Canyon had on his sandals, he put his arm around her again and they strolled across the beach and over to her aunt’s house.
On the porch, he kissed her forehead. “Have sweet dreams.”
Maggie wanted him to brush her lips with his, for him to kiss her again like he did at the beach. Instead, she gave him a tired smile. “Thanks, Canyon. You too.”
His gaze lingered for a few moments before he spun around and headed away.
Sighing, Maggie unlocked the door and stepped inside. When she was about to close the door, she noticed Canyon watching from the street.
He was making sure she got in safely!
Dan had never done that. He’d always driven away as soon as she was out of the car.
Maggie gave a little wave before closing the door. She locked it, then leaned against it and let out a sigh.
What a night it had been. Not only the dancing, but that kiss… It had been the things fairy tales were made of. That was the kind of thing she’d dreamed about since she was a little girl, but she’d learned to assume didn’t exist in real life. At least, not for her.
She cleared her throat. It probably still didn’t exist for her—not for long, anyway. A relationship wasn’t in her future. Nothing serious, at least. But maybe she could have fun with Canyon for a while.
He knew her secret—that she couldn’t have kids—so it wouldn’t be like she was hiding anything from him. She wouldn’t be offering him any false hope of a real relationship.
Maybe she could just enjoy the time with him, then for the rest of her life hold onto memories like the night she’d just experienced. Maggie was sure she would never forget that kiss. She’d certainly never forget how wonderful it felt to be treated with such care and gentleness.
Thank goodness for a great friend giving her something like that to hold onto and treasure.
She tiptoed upstairs, not wanting to wake Aunt Lucille who was surely sleeping at this late hour.
As Maggie got ready for bed, then finally climbed in, aching and sore, her mind kept replaying the entire evening. The dancing, the competition, the feel of her hand in his, and of course that kiss.
With any luck, there would be more times like that over the summer. More wonderful memories for her to hold onto once they both figured out what they wanted to do with their lives. For now, she would take a season of reliving her childhood summers. Maybe this one would be even more enjoyable.
She drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face and her heart full.
Chapter 11
Canyon barely heard his alarm but managed to pull himself out of hi
s dream to hit snooze. Then he rolled over and buried his face into the pillow, wanting another five hours of sleep.
It took a moment to remember why he was so tired. He’d been out dancing and talking with Maggie.
His heart raced at the thought of kissing her. It was something he’d dreamed about since he was twelve or thirteen when he’d realized how wonderful she was, but even then he’d known better than to pursue her.
So why now? What was different? He was actually worse now than before with all those years of wild living—nightly parties and never spending more than a week with any one girl.
Guilt stung, making his stomach twist. Sweet, innocent Maggie had opened up to him, but would she have if she had realized what he was really like?
He’d find out at work. Just the thought of seeing her in less than an hour was enough to pull him out of his sleep stupor and make him jump out of bed.
Canyon turned off the alarm and got ready with a hum on his lips. It was a tune he’d learned on an island somewhere. Jamaica? Grand Cayman? It was so hard to remember for sure.
His mom gave him a funny look as he entered the kitchen. She finished pouring her coffee. “What has you in such a good mood?”
He didn’t feel like talking about Maggie yet. “I’ve got a job.”
“And yet you stayed out until the wee hours last night?”
She still knew how to squash someone’s good mood. “Yeah, I did. I’m used to it, and I’ll be fine.”
“I’m going to need you to pick up some groceries tonight.”
“I don’t have any money yet. It’s gonna be two weeks until I see a paycheck.”
“That hasn’t stopped you from eating my food.”
He sighed. “I should have another payment from the cruise line coming in soon, but I doubt it’ll be today.”
“Well, figure something out. There’s nothing for dinner and I just paid rent.” She headed out the door. That was when Canyon noticed she looked as tired as he felt.
“Hey, Mom. Are you okay?”
“Fine. Just gotta get to work.” She left without another word.
Canyon frowned. He looked through the cupboards and the fridge. Just some cereal, crackers, ketchup, OJ, half a block of cheese, and some frozen vegetables.