by Carol Ross
“Did you run to town and get these this morning?” she asked. In addition to cheeseburgers, they’d discovered a mutual love for Bakery-by-the-Sea’s oversize muffins. Harper liked raspberry cheesecake streusel while Kyle preferred blueberry almond-top.
“Yep, I did.”
Grinning, she buckled her seat belt and then reached for the box. “I don’t even know where I’m going, and I already like this day.”
Before long, she was slightly confused when Kyle steered the SUV off the highway and onto the private drive that led to Rhys McGrath’s property. “What are you doing?”
Kyle shot her a quick conspiratorial grin. “I have an idea.”
“What kind of idea?”
“Well, as you know,” he said with mock austerity, “I’m a navy SEAL and highly trained in stealth and covert operations.”
“Uh-huh,” she answered doubtfully. “So?”
“You’re about to see me work my magic.”
Kyle halted the vehicle. The headlights illuminated the tall black iron gate where Harper had stopped herself a grand total of six times in the months she’d lived here.
“But,” he said in his serious, safety-lecture tone, “if something happens and I give you the distress signal, I want you to climb into the driver’s seat and get out of here as quick as you can. Don’t wait for me. I’ll find my way back.”
“Wait a minute! What are you going to do? Kyle, that sign reads, No Trespassing and that trespassers will be prosecuted. Loosely translated that means, ‘no go, amigo.’ Plus, I don’t know if you had a chance to review it, but prosecution is not on my schedule for today.”
He chuckled. “Harper, I’m kidding. Mostly. But if this does go south, just do what I said, okay?” Kyle opened the door, and got out. Harper watched him stroll confidently toward the gate where he fiddled with the keypad located next to the buzzer.
He turned around, shrugged and walked back to the SUV. He climbed inside. “I don’t hear any sirens, so that’s good.”
Harper’s brows went up. “What are you...out of your mind? Have you been drinking?” Then she chuckled because of course she appreciated the elaborate joke. With exaggerated sincerity, she said, “I am so shocked that it didn’t work. I mean, you were a SEAL. No doubt your military Special Forces training makes your button-pushing technique superior and—” She cut herself off because the gate was moving. Opening!
His grin was nothing short of adorable. “You were saying?”
“Kyle, what is going on?”
“You’re going to go photograph an old lighthouse, a World War II bunker and other historical amazingness, I believe is how you termed it.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“Oh, and you get to meet Rhys McGrath. You’re going to like him. But not too much I hope.” He added a wink that made her insides melt like water on a sunbaked sandcastle.
Kyle drove on, and minutes later they arrived at the home of Rhys McGrath. Who opened the door and let them inside! Kyle performed introductions because, apparently, the two men already knew each other. Harper shook his hand and understood why Kyle had made the comment about her not liking him too much. (She’d ponder exactly why that would bother Kyle later.) Far from being the crotchety curmudgeon she’d been expecting, Rhys was tall, gorgeous, and while not quite as fit as Kyle (but then again who was?) lean and muscled. His light brown hair was streaked with blond. Wavy and chin length, he wore it tucked behind his ears. Harper estimated his age at midthirties.
“Lovely to meet you, Harper. I’ve seen some of your work. I confess I Googled you after my meeting with Kyle. You’re very talented.”
Meeting? What were they? Business partners? “Thank you, Mr. McGrath. I’m honored to meet you, as well. I admire the work you’ve done for veterans’ causes.”
His eyebrows hiked up onto his forehead like he was surprised Harper knew about the endeavor. “Please, call me Rhys.”
All the information she’d gathered on the man a few months back when she’d hoped to arrange a meeting herself came back to her. Harper was dying to find out how Kyle had managed to get through to him.
“Your home is gorgeous,” Harper said, studying the large exposed wooden beams interlocked at the peak of the ceiling and extending down the walls of the large timber frame home. “Old-growth Douglas fir?”
Rhys smiled. “Very good. Not many people recognize it.”
“When I was first starting out in Seattle as a photographer, I did a lot of weddings. There’s an old timber frame building near Mount Rainier that’s a popular venue. It has a similar style of construction, and I admit I was so taken with the place, I studied up on it. One of the best parts of being a photographer is traveling to new places and learning about the stuff I shoot. I find that the more I know about something, the better able I am to capture all the nuances. That probably sounds crazy.”
“Not at all. I enjoy information, too. Was it the Picot Mansion?”
“It was!”
“These beams came from the same place.”
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense,” Harper returned. “What place is that?”
“I’ll tell you all about it at lunchtime.”
“Lunchtime?”
“I understand from Kyle that there’s a reason why you needed to get me out of bed at this unfortunate hour.”
“Oh, my goodness, it is early, isn’t it?” Her grin collided firmly with Kyle’s. “I apologize. I forget that not everybody is quite as enamored as I am with the morning light.”
* * *
THEY VENTURED OUTSIDE where Harper gawked around spellbound as that light began to cast a glow all around the gorgeous landscape. Evergreen bushes like salal, rhododendron and Oregon grape circled a tidy green lawn. Windswept spruce trees fanned out from there. Harper could see the towering, elegant form of the lighthouse and the shingled roof of the caretaker’s cottage.
From her previous research and inspection of satellite photos, Harper knew the property consisted of a headland over two hundred acres in size. Extending out into the Pacific Ocean and delineated by steep cliffs rising a hundred and some feet from the ocean below, it had once been a vital lighthouse locale. And, later, the perfect placement for a World War II bunker. People still photographed the lighthouse from the ocean, but the last known photos taken from the property that Harper could find were from over fifty years ago. Excitement churned inside of her at the notion of scoring such a coup. And she owed it all to Kyle.
Happiness and affection mingled inside of her. She was certain it was the nicest thing that anyone, outside of her dad, had ever done for her.
Rhys gave them a quick description of the property, pointing out various paths and trails to the lighthouse and cottage, the old war bunker and the stairs down to the ocean below.
“They’re all unlocked. Take your time exploring.” Rhys paused before adding, “Kyle knows all this because I showed him around when he was here.”
“Wow. Rhys,” Harper said, “I’m incredibly grateful and excited. I don’t know how to thank you.”
Rhys shot a meaningful glance at Kyle that had her wondering what he’d had to do to pull this off. “No thanks necessary. We’ll see you guys around noon.” And with that, he headed back toward the house.
“You ready?”
“I think so. Believe it or not, I’m a little overwhelmed. I’m not sure where to start.”
“I thought you might be, so I took the liberty of making a schedule according to how I think the light is going to move...” He explained his strategy while they gathered the camera equipment from the car.
Harper agreed with his plan. She draped one camera around her neck and slipped her pack onto her back. Kyle took the duffel bag and slung it over one shoulder. The tripod he tucked under the opposite arm.
The lighthouse stood regally on the bluff and seemed to ba
sk in the dawn, reflecting the sun’s orange-tinted morning rays. It was still painted the original white, and Harper estimated the cylindrical structure was close to a hundred feet tall. The lookout at the top was surrounded with panes of thick glass. A layer of dew lent richness to the setting. From the first snap of the shutter, she was lost in her craft and relishing every second.
Within a few hours, Harper had photographed the lighthouse, and the view there from every angle, the caretaker’s cottage, the grounds, the ocean, the cliffs and on it went. Just before noon, with the sun approaching its peak, they decided to check out the bunker.
Kyle set off on a trail like he knew right where he was going, which she soon realized he did. And now that her frenzied pace of taking photos had slowed, she decided to learn some details. “Are you going to tell me how you managed this?” she asked as they walked.
“I did some research, figured out Rhys’s dad and my dad served together in the navy.”
“Really? But how did you get him to take your call in the first place or return it?”
“That was trickier. I reached out to a guy who’d served with them both to see if he’d kept in touch with Rhys’s dad. He has, and he called Rhys’s dad for me, who called Rhys. Luckily, Rhys decided to call me back.”
The trail emptied into a small, roughly oval-shaped, grass-covered clearing. Taller, older trees surrounded the perimeter. A low-lying border of wild shrubs and bushes outlined the area like they were trying to crowd their way in. Rhys obviously kept the grass mowed and the brush trimmed. Located near the edge of the cliff was the bunker. Moss-covered and attractively draped with vines, it blended into the scenery almost like a natural part of the landscape.
Harper turned a circle, absorbing the beauty of the setting. “This is incredible.”
“Do you want to go inside?”
“Yes!” was her immediate reaction, which she followed with, “Wait, is it safe?”
Kyle laughed. “Do you know how funny I find it that you’re finally asking me if a place is safe when that place was designed specifically to keep people safe?”
“All right,” Harper said along with a playful glare. “I see your point.”
Once inside, Harper realized the front of the structure had been built like a half circle to obtain the best views of both the surrounding area and the ocean down below. The windows were situated high up on the walls. Stepping onto a rock ledge running along the bottom, she peered out one of the rectangular slots where she imagined guns would be placed in a combat situation. The view of the ocean was stunning. Raising her camera, she took a keyhole photo so she’d remember it. Then she snuck a photo of Kyle in profile as he gazed out at the view.
She wanted to remember every moment of this day. This day that Kyle had gone to so much trouble to arrange. And then planned down to the last detail. All the emotions that had been simmering inside her intensified. She turned to find Kyle watching her, his brown eyes penetrating and soulful, and at the same time, increasing her confidence that he felt this insane attraction, too.
“Why did you do all this?”
He took a step closer. Her heart knocked hard against her rib cage and then took off racing.
“I did it for you.” His voice sounded low and a little raspy, making her skin tingle. “Because what can you give the woman who has everything? Or could have, if she wanted.”
Oh. Wow. Harper didn’t stop to think about what the consequences might bring. One step brought her right into his space, so close the heady scent of him seemed to wrap around her, a mix of citrus and lush fir needles. Raising her arms, she wrapped them around the back of his neck and kissed him. A mix of relief and desire rushed through her when he didn’t even hesitate to return the embrace. Kissing her, he slid one strong arm around her waist and settled it on her hip. All of this combined to leave her with no doubt about the way he felt. Palm flat, he pressed his other hand to the middle of her back, coaxing her closer. His lips were soft and warm, and his actions held a sense of urgency that Harper felt, too. Like finally taking a drink after waiting way, way too long.
Slowly, she lowered one hand to explore the muscled curves of his back, appreciating the way his shirt stretched tight across his shoulders. She knew how hard he worked to look like he did, and she wanted to tell him how much she admired that, how much she admired him. Along with his strength of character, kindness, work ethic and that humility that she found so captivating. There were so many things. But that would entail talking, and that wasn’t what she wanted to do right now.
With a soft moan, Kyle loosened his hold and Harper wanted to protest, but then realized he was only shifting his hold, deepening the kiss. A blast of heat combined with her emotions and left her a little light-headed. And she realized then that she never wanted to let him go.
* * *
LESS THAN TWO seconds of Harper kissing him, Kyle realized his mistake and yet did the opposite of what he should have done. He kissed her back. He knew he was attracted to her. He’d fantasized about kissing her almost since the first moment they’d met. But this was so much more than that. Getting to know her made it all so much better. He’d only known her a couple of weeks, and he was experiencing the most intense emotions of his life. How was that possible?
He’d never forget the way she’d looked at him when she’d realized he’d managed to arrange this tour. He’d done that. Made her that happy. Making Harper happy was hands down the best feeling he could ever imagine. The depth of that realization was a little startling. He’d achieved a lot in his military career, felt the heady glow of accomplishment due to his hard work, perseverance and innate abilities numerous times. And while it had been satisfying to be one of an elite group like the navy SEALS with a skill set matched by very few, this was better. Being with Harper was like all of that and so much more. It was everything. He wanted to hold her and keep her safe and make her happy like this forever.
She was incredibly soft and warm and inviting, and she tasted like happiness and freedom... And that’s when Kyle finally found the strength to rein it in. Because he wasn’t free. Not free to do this with her anyway. Heart twisting painfully in protest, he broke off the kiss.
“Harper,” he whispered, although he wasn’t sure what to say next.
Tender and hazy and full of affection, her blue-gray eyes found his. “Hmm?” she murmured, digging her fingers into his shoulders like she didn’t want to let him go. And why was that so irresistible? Kyle felt his control slipping away, but in a good way, a driving-a-fast-car, cliff-diving kind of way. He couldn’t help himself; he kissed her again.
She broke it off this time but kept him close. She rested her forehead on his chest, and he could hear her breath coming in little gasps, a perfect match to his own. Bringing one hand around to his chest, she spread her fingers over his still-racing heart, and murmured, “You are so...good.”
Like a jab to the chest, that was the wake-up call he needed. He wished he was good, or at least, he wished he was good enough for her. Because that’s what he wanted, and he was beginning to believe they could be perfect together.
Cupping one hand to her face and threading his fingers into her hair, he smoothed a thumb across her cheekbone. “I want you to know that I didn’t arrange all this because I expect anything from you.”
That hurt, too, because it wasn’t true, was it? Although he’d known this outing would make her grateful and likely heighten her fondness for him, this kind of physical closeness wasn’t what he’d been after precisely, and yet he couldn’t help but acknowledge that taking their relationship to this level would make it so much easier to get the truth he needed. And even though he wanted this, so much he could barely think straight, obviously, or he wouldn’t have kissed her back in the first place, he couldn’t do this. He couldn’t let it go any farther; he couldn’t use her in that way. He needed to accomplish his goal and somehow learn the truth while keep
ing their hearts out of it. How was he going to do that and somehow undo whatever damage this kiss had done? The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her.
Harper gave him a contented smile that had him wanting to kiss her all over again. “I know. I believe you. And that’s huge for me. I, um...”
Forcing the words past the painful knot of guilt clogging his chest, he said, “Harper, you can tell me anything. I hope you know that.”
“I think I do. But I, um, I have...trust issues. The details of which I wish I could share with you. But I can’t. At least...not yet.”
Trust. Kyle’s chest went tight because he knew she was talking about Owen. There was something here. There had to be or else she wouldn’t be afraid to tell him. “I’m here when you’re ready.”
She nodded and forced a smile. “For now, we need to get going so we’re not late for lunch. I would never want to take Rhys’s hospitality for granted.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE OPEN FLOOR PLAN of Rhys’s home made it possible for Harper to stand in the kitchen and watch Kyle and Rhys chatting and laughing in the spacious living area like old friends. Harper had been thankful for the obvious camaraderie between the two men during lunch, a delicious treat of fresh steamed clams, crusty sourdough bread and a green salad, as it didn’t call for much discussion on her part.
Harper wanted to tell Kyle about Owen. Or rather, she wanted to tell him part of it. Specifically, the part about her not being in love with Owen like Kyle believed. Her feelings for Kyle already surpassed what she’d felt for Owen. She realized now that she’d never been in love before. She’d wanted to be in love, wished for it so much that she’d talked herself into the emotion. More than once. Which seemed so silly now. It was like before Kyle, her soul had been smoldering, trying to ignite. Now there was a full-on bonfire raging inside of her. The world seemed brighter yet safer and more exciting at the same time. She wanted to go places, do things and share everything with him.