by Jean Oram
A minute or so later, a knock sounded.
“Who is it?” she asked.
“Mitch.”
Huh? She opened the door.
Her husband stood there in a pair of faded jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt. His high cheekbones seemed sharper, but he was as handsome as the night they’d met at a party. His brown hair was short, and stubble covered his face. The dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn’t been sleeping much.
“Hey.” The edges of his mouth curved upward. “Sorry I didn’t call before stopping by.”
The gold wedding ring on his finger made her stomach churn. She’d taken off her matching band when she’d moved out two months ago—an act of self-preservation to keep her from crying each time she noticed it.
She clutched the door handle. “What’s up?”
“Can I come in?”
“Okay.” She had no idea what was going on, but they were still married. After he was inside, she closed the door.
“What do you want?” Her words sounded impatient, harsher than she’d intended.
Stupid. Mitch wasn’t a bad guy. He just hadn’t been able to give her what she needed. Not surprising given their whirlwind romance had led to a wedding right before he deployed to Afghanistan. They hadn’t known each other well enough. She’d had no idea how much he’d be away or that they’d handle the times apart differently.
“Sorry,” she said. “Long night.”
His gaze narrowed. “You look tired.”
“So do you.”
“I’ll make this quick.” He rocked back on his heels. “What are you doing for Christmas?”
“Nothing. I’m skipping it.”
“No plans?”
“Not unless you count hanging out with friends.” Which was so unlike her since she loved Christmas, but this wasn’t a usual year. “I’m off until the night of the twenty-sixth.”
“Good, because I want to take you to—”
“You shouldn’t want to take me anywhere.” She wasn’t trying to be cruel, just honest. “We’re no longer together.”
“I know, but…” Mitch shifted his weight. “I don’t want to spend Christmas with only a bottle of whiskey to keep me company.”
The image of him doing that twisted her insides. “Aren’t any of the guys sticking around?”
“A couple, maybe. They aren’t sure yet. I could probably snag an invite to Christmas dinner somewhere, but after that…”
She understood. Mitch had been raised in the foster system and joined the army after he graduated high school. Her parents had kicked her out when she turned eighteen, so they’d have more money to spend on cigarettes and alcohol. She and Mitch had been on their own for years before they’d met. They’d quickly become each other’s family.
“You need more plans,” she said.
“That’s why I booked a cottage at Indigo Bay. I know you’ve always wanted to go there. Come with me.”
She felt a pang. “I didn’t think you remembered.”
“I did.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “You said I never listened, but I heard you.”
One time doesn’t count. That was what she imagined her friend Emma saying. Lizzy blew out a breath. “We…shouldn’t.”
Wicked mischief lit his eyes. “That’s never stopped us before.”
“No.” And look where that had gotten them.
“You in?” Mitch defined the word confident. The man had swagger. Only now, he looked worried.
Lizzy lifted her chin. “Do you really think us going somewhere together is a good idea?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “If it’s uncomfortable, we can do our own thing.”
“That defeats the purpose of going away together.”
“Trust me.”
Say no. But the word seemed glued to her tongue. “I…don’t know.”
“Please. Give us one more Christmas. We don’t have to celebrate.” His jade-green gaze pleaded with her. “I don’t want to be alone.”
The unexpected emotion in his words tugged on her heart. Mitch didn’t discuss his feelings, while she wasn’t good about addressing her needs. They’d spent more holidays and special occasions apart than together, so she’d requested time off for Christmas months ago.
“We’ll go as friends.” Mitch’s tentative smile matched the slight tremor of his voice. “We’re still friends. Right?”
“I hope we always will be.”
“Me, too,” he said. “Besides, I owe you for missing your birthday and our anniversary.”
A jagged pain ripped through Lizzy.
Not missing. Forgetting. Completely.
For three years, she’d done all she could to make the marriage work. His not acknowledging either date in early October had made her face the hard truth—she didn’t matter to him, not the way a wife should matter to her husband. She’d had to stop making excuses and admit they’d married too soon. But maybe that wouldn’t bother her so much if she focused on the two of them remaining friends. Mitch needed more in his life than the army, and she needed more than the hospital.
“I prepaid for four nights,” he added. “The vacation won’t cost you anything.”
Spending time in a beach town decked out for the holidays didn’t appeal to Lizzy, but taking a vacation sounded heavenly. Work had been rough lately. Add in separating from Mitch…
No. Common sense needed to prevail. “Going away could blow up in our faces.”
“Or it could be amazing,” Mitch countered. “Why be on our own when we could be together at a beach cottage?”
“Our impending divorce seems like a good reason.”
“You work too hard and need a break.”
That was true. A trip to Indigo Bay might be her last chance to go anywhere for a while. She made decent money, but living alone was expensive, and divorce attorneys weren’t cheap.
“You’re thinking about it.” Mitch flashed a charming smile.
Her breath hitched. “Maybe.”
“Shower and pack while I make breakfast. We’ll leave after that.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I didn’t say yes.”
“You didn’t say no, which tells me you want to go.”
She’d die before she admitted that. “It’s hard to turn down a free trip.”
“Then don’t.” He made saying yes sound effortless.
But maybe Mitch was right. She would have loved him planning something like this when they were together. She needed a vacation. Why not take one now? “Okay, I’ll go, but please don’t do anything to make me regret this.”
Chapter 3
After checking in at the Indigo Bay Cottage’s Guest Services building, Mitch carried the lodging paperwork and keys to his truck and opened the driver door. Lizzy was still asleep in the passenger seat. A ball of warmth settled at the center of his chest.
His plan to win her back was working. He hadn’t seen her look so carefree in…months. The divorce was adding stress to her life. She also needed time away from work. He was giving her a place to forget about everything and relax.
Brown strands of hair had fallen out of Lizzy’s lopsided ponytail. The soft tendrils accentuated her high cheekbones. She hadn’t put on makeup after her shower, but she didn’t need any with her naturally long lashes and full, kissable lips. So beautiful. Her soft smile made him wonder who starred in her dream.
Him?
Mitch hoped so. Lizzy was always on his mind. He couldn’t lose her. Soon, she would forget the divorce nonsense and be ready to move home.
He slid into the driver’s seat, closed the door, and backed out of the parking spot. Lizzy didn’t wake up. Nor did she stir as he drove to their cottage. Not surprising. She’d slept the entire five-and-a-half-hour trip from Columbus, Georgia.
He parked at a bright pink cottage with white shutters that sat on a grassy dune with a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. White lights were strung along the roof’s edge. Garland hung from the white staircase r
ailing. A heart-shaped wreath with a fancy pink bow was attached to the front door.
He’d booked the honeymoon cottage because his and Lizzy’s honeymoon had been one night at a three-star hotel after they’d been married by a judge. They’d wed after dating for two months because he was being deployed, and they hadn’t wanted to wait until he returned. If something had happened to him while he was away, she would have had support and benefits. If not, she’d be there when he got back. A win-win.
Their wedding had been simple, yet perfect. She’d carried a single red rose for her bouquet. They’d exchanged matching wedding bands. He’d wanted to get her a diamond ring, but after buying a house, a ring seemed like a splurge since she’d never asked for one, but now…
The list of things Mitch wished he could do over rolled through his mind like credits at the end of a movie. He couldn’t change the past, but he could show Lizzy she was his priority. She was his life.
Mitch gently touched his wife’s shoulder. “Wake up, babe. We’re at Indigo Bay.”
Lizzy blinked, rubbed her eyes, and yawned. “Already?”
“You slept the entire drive.”
A telltale V formed at the bridge of her nose. He’d noticed the same thing earlier at her apartment. Stress.
“Let’s get our bags out of the back.” Mitch opened his door. The sooner they started their vacation, the better. “Then we can take a walk around town.”
She nodded before sliding from the truck.
Mitch hopped out. A breeze blew off the water and rustled the long grass around the cottage. The scent of salt carried on the air.
Before he could grab Lizzy’s suitcase, her fingers wrapped around the handle. “I’ve got it.”
She carried the bag to the front stoop, touched the wreath’s pink bow with her free hand, and stepped to the side so he could unlock the door.
He waited for her to say something, but she didn’t. Maybe she was tired from working three nights in a row. No problem. This was their first day in Indigo Bay. He had plenty of time to woo her.
Lizzy waited for Mitch to unlock the front door. The adorable heart-shaped wreath made her chest tighten. She couldn’t believe he’d booked this place. He wasn’t one to make dinner reservations—that was her job—but she was pleased. Except the various colored beach cottages seemed more suited for a romantic getaway than a vacation for two friends.
He opened the door and stepped back. “You first.”
A deep breath did nothing to calm Lizzy’s out-of-control pulse, but she stepped inside anyway.
Whoa. She froze.
Pink. Everywhere.
Not the bright color of the exterior. The pastel shade made her think of melt-in-her-mouth cotton candy. A pretty watercolor beach print hung on the clapboard wall next to an overstuffed couch. Pink roses filled a glass vase sitting on the coffee table. A small present wrapped in white paper and tied with a pink ribbon lay between the flowers and a bottle of champagne chilling in a silver bucket.
“They left us welcome gifts.” Mitch set his duffle bag on the floor. He pushed down on the couch cushions. “Comfy. What do you think of the cottage?”
“Cute. Nice kitchen.” She noticed a bathroom and what looked to be only one bedroom.
Uh-oh. She hadn’t asked about the sleeping arrangements. Mitch wouldn’t have booked a place with only one bed, would he?
She forced the question from her mind. “Lots of, um, pink.”
“Be glad I didn’t book the orange cottage.”
Mitch’s grin hit Lizzy like a runaway gurney. This seemingly happy-go-lucky guy reminded her of the man who’d stolen her heart. The way he focused on her shot a thrill through her defensive walls. Her heart stumbled, missing a beat, maybe three.
Don’t be a fool. Five seconds of attention didn’t change three years of being taken for granted.
Mitch knew how to get what he wanted. One kiss and she melted into a gooey mess at his feet. The man was too good looking, too dangerous for her heart. Needing distance, she walked to the bedroom doorway.
Please let there be two beds.
The scent of vanilla and sandalwood lingered on the air. Netting hung from the ceiling around the bed. Rose petals covered the large mattress. Romantic, yes. But her gaze narrowed in on the bed.
One bed, not two.
Lizzy balled her hands. She glanced over her shoulder. “Did you know there was only one bed?”
His eyes widened. “No, I just thought you’d like this cottage best.”
“Why?”
His face reddened. “It’s the, uh, honeymoon cottage.”
Heat flashed through her, She grinded her teeth. “Why would you think that’s appropriate for us?”
“We never went on a honeymoon.”
Disbelief nearly knocked her over. “So you thought staying here would be a good idea now that our marriage is ending?”
His sheepish expression was the only answer she needed. Typical. Mitch could be a sweet guy when he tried. The problem was he didn’t try that often. Not with her. The army was his priority. Life outside his platoon came a distant second, but she didn’t want to have that argument again.
The urge to find a way back to Columbus was strong. If she texted Emma, Lizzy would be able to get home, but she remembered something her counselor had said about changing her attitude when she couldn’t change her situation. That might work here.
Lizzy pushed back her shoulders. “We’ll just have to make the best of it.”
That wasn’t so hard.
“Thanks for being such a good sport.” Mitch looked at the bed. “If we put a wall of pillows between us, you’ll never know I’m there.”
Yeah, right. The man oozed sex appeal, and he used that to his advantage. Not this time.
She took a breath. “I’m not sharing a bed with you.”
He raised his hands as if surrendering. “I’ll sleep on the couch.”
An offer to take the couch rose inside Lizzy. She pressed her lips together. Booking this cottage had been Mitch’s idea. His back and neck could suffer. No way should she feel guilty about the sleeping arrangements.
Or asking for a divorce.
“That’ll work.” The bed situation might be an oversight, but what if Mitch wanted a fling while they were there? She hadn’t even considered that possibility.
Emotions threatened to overwhelm her. She rubbed her face.
He touched her shoulder.
She flinched.
Mitch stepped back, hurt creeping over his face. “Lizzy—”
She refused to feel guilty. “I need a few minutes before I’ll be ready to go.”
“Take all the time you need.” He walked out and closed the bedroom door behind him.
So much for a change of attitude. A familiar fatigue bore down on Lizzy. As she plopped onto the mattress, rose petals fell to the floor. She picked one up and rubbed her fingertip over the velvety surface. Her heart hurt and longed for something…more—someone to take care of her the way she took care of others.
She’d discussed her need with the counselor and friends. Maybe she was being selfish, but what was wrong with wanting to feel loved? She’d tried explaining how she felt to Mitch. Even though he hadn’t listened, she hadn’t given up on them. Not until a few months ago.
When he’d return from his deployment only to fly to Texas to see two of his guys who were in the hospital, she’d tried to be understanding. So what if he wouldn’t be home for her birthday and their anniversary, which were three days apart? It wouldn’t be the first time. But his not calling or acknowledging either date had broken her.
What he did in the army made her proud, but she couldn’t be the only one holding their marriage together. She’d given all she could to be the wife Mitch needed whether he was home or away, except there wasn’t anything left of herself to give.
She was so tired. Exhausted, really.
But throwing herself a pity party wouldn’t accomplish anything.
Time to pull herself together. This impromptu trip to Indigo Bay would not only help her feel better, but it would also be the starting point for her and Mitch to move forward as friends.
Chapter 4
The walk to Main Street took less than ten minutes. Mitch loved having his wife at his side on this gorgeous day. The temperature was a breezy seventy with blue skies overhead. The wind toyed with the ends of Lizzy’s no-longer-lopsided ponytail. He wished he could do that.
Soon. “I hope the weather is this good all week.”
Lizzy nodded. She didn’t look upset, more reserved, but she hadn’t smiled.
Booking the honeymoon cottage may not have been his smartest move, but sleeping on the couch wouldn’t be that bad. He’d bunked in worse places. Besides, his plan would make Lizzy change her mind about the sleeping arrangements. They’d never had any problems in the bedroom.
“Now this is a beach town.” Shops—everything from a pet store to a floral shop—lined both sides of Main Street. Window shoppers seemed to equal the number of folks entering the quaint stores. The scent of cinnamon and cloves wafted on the air. He inhaled. “Lots of people out and about.”
“It’s charming.” Her tone was polite. “Too bad I’m not in the mood for Christmas because this little town is holiday perfect.”
In the past, Lizzy decorated each room and baked the entire month of December. Even when he was deployed, she’d acted like Mrs. Santa Claus to friends and coworkers.
Mitch hadn’t known where to start decorating this year, so he hadn’t. Truth was, Lizzy had made their house a home—not him—and the place didn’t feel the same without her.
But being in Indigo Bay made Christmas impossible to ignore. For the first time all month, he wanted to sing “Deck the Halls.” He wouldn’t mind kissing Lizzy under the mistletoe, either.
“I like how the garland and lights are wrapped around the streetlamps,” he said. “Bet they look pretty at night.”
“We’ll be able to see for ourselves.” She pointed to a window display. “I’ve never seen Father Christmas carrying a surfboard.”