Copper Lining (The Cardwell Family Series Book 3)

by Christy Pastore

  Memories of holding her close and those pillow talk moments flood my mind. I’d like to try. And even if it ends, I’ll know that I took a risk.

  My eyes roam over the space and I lean against the counter.

  That’s when I lock eyes with Minka. She steps inside, and my heart beats out of sync in my chest.

  Here goes nothing.

  Correction.

  Here goes everything.

  Minka

  My breath catches when I see Wes.

  He’s wearing dark denim jeans and a tight, moss green dress shirt that amplifies the green in his eyes. And in signature Wes style, the sleeves are rolled up, showing off his tats and his corded forearms.

  Damn arm porn.

  His blond hair is tousled and a little longer, reminding me of our time in Maui.

  I’m doing my best not to run into his arms and tell him I forgive him for pushing me away, but I’ll let him grovel a little bit.

  Actually, I don’t expect him to grovel. That’s not his style.

  Wes’ gaze swings to me, and he straightens his shoulders. Longing hits me like a speeding bus.

  Holy shit.

  He looks sexy as hell.

  Wes’ green eyes burn into me and my pulse drums. He smiles and my heart and pulse seem to beat together erratically, making me feel a little lightheaded.

  “Hey, Minka, glad you’re here,” he says and steps toward me.

  I nearly crumble at the sound of his voice. Jeez, pull it together.

  “Wes,” I say and try to ignore my pulse beating like a drum in my ear.

  “I’m glad you’re here.”

  I smile. “You said that already.”

  “Right. Well, what do you think of the space?”

  “What is all this? Why am I here?”

  “Well, this is The Tea Room two-point-oh, or maybe it’s three-point-oh.” He chuckles nervously. “Um, so we bought the building next door.” Wes points to a large glass wall. Behind it, there’s a prep station/kitchen that resembles the set of my show.

  “This looks familiar,” I point out.

  He tilts his head toward the window. “Come on, I want to show you something.”

  I follow him into the room. My eyes don’t know where to look first. The pink wall with the gorgeous boxwood backdrop. The wooden tables with white and pink floral arrangements.

  My gaze lifts to the bakery case. “Oh my gawd, Wes. This looks almost like the place in Maui.”

  “Aesthetically inspired,” he says. “We have a proposal.”

  “We?”

  Ignoring my question, Wes’ hand cradles my cheek. “I almost forgot how gorgeous you are. Almost.” Without pause, he leans down and kisses me. “But I can’t forget these lips.”

  Breathless, I pull back. “You kiss me. Tell me there’s a proposal. What the heck is going on?”

  My heart’s thumping so hard in my chest.

  Wes picks up a remote and clicks on the flat-screen TV across the room.

  “Just listen,” he whispers.

  The screen lights up, and I hear Wes say something. My boss, Ariella Morris’s face flashes on the screen.

  “Minka, hello,” she says.

  “Hey, Ariella. What’s going on?”

  “Well, doll, Weston told me this very fascinating story about how the two of you met and how you spent the last few months working together. Anyway, we love your love story so much here at Love and Dine we’re making a movie.”

  My cheeks flame with heat. “Uh, what?”

  “I’m a hopeless romantic. Anyway, it’s going to be one of our summer holiday movies. People love a second-chance romance. And I’m not one to keep lovers apart.”

  Wes chuckles and I can’t help the smile that crosses my lips.

  “Listen, I gotta run but, here are the basics. You’re standing in your new studio. We’re sending a camera crew next week. You’re going to tape the rest of your season in Mayfield. And then, if all goes well, we’ll work something out.”

  “And my cookbook?”

  “It’s going to be fabulous. The editors are swooning over your double chocolate and toffee cookies. Don’t worry, Minka.”

  Before I could get another word out, the screen goes black.

  I turn to face Wes. “Our love story?”

  He tilts his head and gives me that sexy smirk. “What can I say? I’ve fallen in love with you, Minka.”

  My heart feels like it will burst. Tears well in my eyes.

  “Those better be happy tears.” His hands frame my face and the pads of his thumbs brush against my cheeks.

  “They are,” I swallow hard. “I love you too, Wes.”

  Our mouths move in sync—tender and slow. Try as I might, the fear and anxiety rise up. I push back, breaking our kiss.

  “I have so many questions. I want—”

  Wes cuts me off with a kiss. “Let me tell you what I want. You. Right here in Mayfield with me. Celia too. I want a chance to make you both happy. I want to give you everything I possibly can. I think we make a great team, and I just want the chance—”

  This time it’s my turn to cut him off. My lips crush to his and we wrap around one another. Calm soothes my thoughts. Wes and I are together, and we’ll find our way.

  It’s just Wes and me for a little while until the howls and claps and laughter are too much to ignore. Maybelle, Caroline, Haven, and Brant—the entire Cardwell clan is standing in the café. Even Olivia pops from behind the wall to wave.

  “What do you say, Mom?” I look over my shoulder to find my daughter with a huge smile on her face.

  “Do you want to move to Mayfield, Cece?”

  She nods. “It would make me really happy. Can we?”

  I look up at Wes. “I guess we’re moving here and don’t try to talk me out of it.”

  “No way. I wouldn’t dream of it. Some would say that I’d be an idiot if I tried that.”

  I roll up on my tiptoes and kiss him again. Oblivious to the sounds of “ew” and “aw” around us, we hold each other, and everything feels right.

  Finally.

  “Should I be a little offended that Cece wanted to spend time with Savannah rather than the two of us?” Wes asks over his shoulder from the sink.

  I laugh and seal the container with our leftovers. “Don’t worry, there’s plenty of time to spend together. She’s already talking about her Halloween costume. Something about Monster High or Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Her friends back in California think she is moving to Kansas . . . Oz.”

  Wes’ arms wrap around me from behind and he kisses the soft spot below my ear.

  “I can’t believe you’re really here.”

  “Well, believe it. What I can’t believe is that I’m going to be part owner of The Tea Room.”

  “It was Maybelle’s idea, and Brant was completely on board.”

  I turn to face him. “And what about you? Were you on board?”

  “Of course. I’m the puppet master of this group. Don’t forget, I have special skills.”

  I laugh. “Gotcha, Manta Ray Whisperer. Still, I’m shocked that you got Ariella to agree to . . . well, whatever you got her to agree to.”

  He steps back and rests his hip against the kitchen counter. “It was tricky at first, but Brant’s been wheelin’ and dealin’ since he was in high school. Maybe even before that. He may have even bought some ad space for The Tea Room. Tyler did too. Turns out the audience demographics for the Love and Dine channel are pretty much in line with ours. People who like to have weekend getaways to the country, stay at charming little bed-and-breakfasts and dine at farm-to-table restaurants.”

  I cock a brow. “You guys did all that to get me here?”

  His hands land on my shoulders. “I would have moved heaven and earth to get you here with me. I know I messed up before, but you mean everything to me. We’re good together, Minka. I want the chance to make you and Cece happy.”

  “I want that too. I don’t know if you realize what
you’re in for with a ten-year-old girl. And you should know, I can be bossy.”

  “Wouldn’t have you any other way.” Our lips fuse together, and he holds me tight. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you like crazy. Cece did too. She’s excited to start school next week. I still can’t believe your mom offered to help out.”

  Cece will stay with Iris and Beau while Wes and I go back to California and pack up my house. Wes and I fly out first thing Monday morning.

  “There’s so much to do,” I say and pour another glass of wine.

  “Don’t stress about that,” he says, and towels off the last pan. “We’ll get it done. Together.”

  “Together. I still don’t know how to tell Noah that we’re moving.”

  “You’ll figure it out.”

  “Yeah,” I sigh and rub at my forehead. “Sooner rather than later, I hope.”

  Wes pulls a beer from the fridge. “I can be there when you talk to him if you like.”

  “It’s okay. I can handle my ex. He’s really a pushover, mostly.”

  “Well, I, for one, mostly don’t want to spend the night talking about your ex. How about we take these onto the patio?”

  “Sounds perfect to me.”

  Closing the gap between us, I tip my mouth to his. Desperate for him, I kiss him, sliding my tongue against his.

  I don’t know what perfect looks like exactly, but this feels pretty close.

  We walk out onto the patio and Wes drops into one of the chairs. He pulls me onto his lap and my sweater falls off my shoulder.

  He slides my hair back and kisses my skin. “Minka, what’s this?” His finger traces the new ink on my shoulder blade.

  “Oh, that, it’s nothing,” I tease.

  “Ko-ee-no ya-kan,” he whispers.

  “It’s Japanese, and it means the extraordinary sense upon first meeting someone that you will one day fall in love.” My fingers scratch under his scruffy chin.

  “Well, this is a surprise. I didn’t take you for the type of gal to get inked.”

  “I plan on surprising you a lot,” I tease.

  “Good.”

  My eyes close as I lean into his solid frame. His lips press to my neck, and my body warms with happiness. I inhale the night air and feel my world slide into its rightful place. Even though Wes and I still have some stuff to figure out, it doesn’t matter how long it takes. We’ve got each other, and life is too short to waste a minute of it.

  “Amazing adventures await us, Minka.”

  “They sure do.”

  Wes

  Thanksgiving

  “Babe, you need any help?”

  “No, we’ve got it,” Minka calls out from the kitchen.

  Minka, Maybelle, and Cece are flying around the kitchen making Thanksgiving dinner. Mom’s trying to help Caroline with Leanna and fuss over Haven at the same time.

  “Mom, you need to have a glass of wine or something,” I tease.

  “God, yes, please have one for me,” Haven shouts.

  The house is filled with music, laughter, and so much noise. It’s ridiculous and wonderful all at the same time.

  I pop around the corner and attempt to steal a peanut butter cookie.

  “You’ll ruin your appetite.” Minka smacks my hand. “Now put it back.”

  “You are bossy.”

  Cece laughs and goes back to helping Maybelle with the mashed potatoes.

  The smell of apples and cinnamon fills the air. I walk into the living room to see Brant, Pop, Tyler, Sawyer, and Jake watching football.

  The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. Minka’s house went on the market and had five offers within twenty-four hours. She and Cece are staying here at the house with me until they find their own place.

  Mom told me I should just ask them to stay permanently until we decide to find a place of our own. What Mom doesn’t know is that I bought Uncle Royston’s old place. I went up to the door, told them who I was, and asked them if they’d be willing to sell.

  I don’t know how I convinced them, but they sold it to me. Jake helped me close the deal last week. I plan to surprise Minka at Christmas. I just have to hold out for a few more weeks.

  “Actually, Wes,” Minka calls out. “Can you make the coffee and check the icemaker? Put it on fast ice or we’re going to run out.”

  “Yes, dear.”

  My brother’s gaze meets mine. “Welcome to domestic life, Weston. You’re gonna love it.”

  “I already do.”

  Things at Cardwell Bourbon have really turned around. We did a soft online launch for the coffee creamer and bacon bourbon sauce. The stuff flies off the shelves at The Tea Room, and Tyler wants to carry some stock at Saffron House.

  Minka finished filming her first season, and she’s going on a press tour in a few weeks. They want to get their holiday audience excited and tuned in to the first episodes in January. I’m really proud of her.

  Julep barks and howls when the doorbell rings.

  “Are we expecting someone else?” I ask Minka. “Have you made enough food?”

  “Oh, stop,” Minka pokes me in the ribs. “You know I’ve made more than enough.”

  Cece glances at the video monitor. “It’s Miss Kreuk,” she shouts.

  “Olivia’s here?” I ask, confused.

  “I invited her,” Minka says. “Cece told me that they moved her mom to the nursing home.”

  Caroline strides into the kitchen and grabs a glass of wine. “Olivia’s not going to like it, but Brant and I are going to offer to help with the medical costs. Thank you for inviting her.”

  “It’s all so terrible. Her father died last year, and now her mom’s fading away,” Minka mentions and checks the timer on the oven.

  Cece and Olivia walk into the kitchen. Olivia looks like she’s been crying.

  “Hey, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone,” she says and sets two bottles of red on the counter.

  “Hey, Olivia,” Minka says. “We’re so happy you could join us.”

  Caroline wraps her arms around Olivia’s shoulders. “Love you. We’re all here.”

  Olivia swipes under her eyes. “Don’t make me cry, girlie.”

  After I take Olivia’s coat to the closet, I walk back into the kitchen. Minka looks at me and juts her chin to the wine.

  “Here, let me get you some wine,” I say to Olivia.

  She smiles. “Thank you. How can I help?”

  “We’ve got this,” Minka says. “Unless you want to chop veggies.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Olivia says. “Anything to take my mind off my mom.”

  Chatter filters around the kitchen, and Olivia fills us in on her mom’s condition.

  Cheers erupt from the living room, and Jake saunters into the kitchen with a groan. “Damn, I just lost twenty bucks to Brant on this game. Damn Lions.”

  I laugh. “Dude, never bet on the Lions.”

  The timer on the oven goes off and there’s more activity in the kitchen. Buttered rolls, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese. It smells delicious. And Minka did it all. I’ve never seen her look so happy.

  “Okay, everyone, grab a plate,” Minka shouts and rounds the corner of the kitchen.

  I grab her by the waist and pull her into the hallway between the living room and kitchen.

  “Wes, what are you doing?” she laughs.

  “I just wanted to tell you that you look beautiful, and you’ve done a hell of a job with this holiday.”

  Her fist pounds at my chest. “Are you trying to make me cry before I’ve had a chance to eat?”

  I shake my head. “Nope, just wanted to say I can’t wait for more holidays like this one.”

  “As long as I’m around, there will be plenty.” She smiles up at me and I steal her lips for a quick kiss.

  Minka’s phone rings and she pulls it from the front of her apron. “Shoot. It’s Zara. I should take this. I won’t be long.”

  Inwardly I roll my eyes. Outwardly I plaster on a smile. �
��Okay, take your time.”

  I don’t like Minka’s sisters. But if she wants to work on their relationship, who am I to stand in the way.

  Zara called Minka crying right before Halloween. Apparently, her husband, Jeremiah, and that Connor guy ended things with Zara. Yep, Jeremiah’s divorcing Zara for Connor.

  Back in the kitchen, I’m refilling my bourbon when the doorbell rings. I can’t get to the monitor to see who’s at the door. No one else seems to care that someone else is here. They all busy themselves with food.

  I pull the door open to see Aaron Collins and another man at the door. “Happy Thanksgiving,” he shouts.

  “Hey, man,” I pull him in for a hug. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

  “Weston, this is Bradley. Bradley, meet Weston Cardwell.”

  We exchange hellos, and I offer to take their coats. “Everyone’s in the kitchen. Go help yourself to food.”

  As I walk back down the hallway, I see Minka helping Cece with her plate. Minka lifts her head and smiles at me.

  “Love you,” I mouth.

  She winks at me, and I can’t believe the utter happiness that swims in my chest.

  Yep. I’m going to marry that woman. One day.

  Once we’re all seated at the table, Aaron taps his wineglass. “Okay, first of all, thank you, Minka, for hosting this amazing dinner celebration. Second, I have some news . . . Bradley has asked me to marry him.”

  “Congratulations, you two.” This comes from Sawyer, who offers a toast to his brother and fiancé.

  “Oh my gawd. I have so many ideas for your wedding,” Maybelle says. “You have to book it at Cranberry Ridge.”

  Chatter continues, and Minka grasps my hand under the table. “This is amazing, Wes. I feel so at home here.”

  “Good, because I want you and Cece to stay here with me.”

  “Well, you don’t have to ask me twice. I can’t think about moving again so soon. Especially in the cold.”

  “I’ll keep you warm,” I tease.

  “My next house needs to have a fireplace in each room. I haven’t gotten used to the chill yet.”

  I think about spilling the secret, but there’s no rush. We already have so much to celebrate.