Resisting Love

by Kat Bellemore

  “Uh…we decided to postpone the sunset stroll.”

  “Cold feet, huh? Worried about how everyone would react to seeing you two together?” Caleb gave Isaac a sympathetic look as they both stepped outside, and Isaac locked up.

  Isaac felt like he should tell Caleb. He was the one Isaac trusted most to give solid advice, after all. And the man was practically family. But what if it had been a one-night thing? No sense in getting everyone’s hopes up.

  “Something like that,” Isaac said. He tossed his towel over his shoulder. “Sorry, but I better run. I’m already crazy late as is.”

  “No problem,” Caleb called after Isaac as he began to jog down the path. “But I better see you at the stroll tonight.”

  Isaac wondered how Leanne felt about that. He slowed and moved to grab his phone from his pocket, wondering if she’d texted. Maybe she wasn’t even awake yet. But his pockets were empty.

  Shoot, he’d forgotten his phone. Maybe he’d have to pay her a lunchtime visit.

  Lunch came and went, but Isaac didn’t get the chance to grab a quick break. A few families had shown up right when he was about to leave, and he wasn’t about to abandon his post with those little kids running around, splashing in the waves. The water was freezing—Isaac would know—but they didn’t seem to mind.

  Eliza arrived mid-afternoon to replace him, and he made a beeline for the diner at the edge of town. They had the best fish sandwiches. World famous, or so they claimed. He didn’t get halfway there before he spotted a woman on the other end of the beach. She was running through the waves, splashing like she didn’t have a care in the world. Upon closer inspection, Isaac thought the woman looked a lot like Leanne. He changed direction and made his way toward her.

  When he got within about twenty feet of Leanne, he paused. She looked so happy, and he didn’t want to interrupt. That, and he was unsure how to act around her. Should he behave as he had last night, and kiss her passionately as the waves rolled over them? Or as friends, like she claimed she wanted? A listening ear, and a friendly companion.

  Or maybe they were still nothing more than the casual acquaintances they’d become since her return to Starlight Ridge.

  But then her gaze met his, and her grin didn’t fade. Instead, she ran over to him, laughing, her hair windswept.

  “I know I must look like I’m insane,” she said. “But my dad told me to take a break and get some fresh air, and just watching the ocean wasn’t enough.”

  Isaac laughed with her, loving how expressive she was, living in the moment. That was the Leanne he remembered. The one he’d loved. The one he had wanted to marry.

  “You don’t need to explain it to me,” he said. “You know full well that I’m always the first one out on the waves.”

  She cocked her head to the side. “Not this morning. I showed up with my board, expecting to have a surfing buddy, and you were a no-show.”

  Leanne had gotten up early to surf? They’d been up most of the night, and as much as he loved the ocean, he’d barely managed to drag himself out of bed when Caleb had shown up. There was only one reason he could think of that she’d be up with the sun.

  Him.

  Isaac’s stomach dropped, but in a thrilling way, like when he rode a roller coaster. “I stayed up too late last night,” he said, his tone full of not-so-hidden meaning. “Had trouble getting up this morning.”

  A playful smile pulled on Leanne’s lips. “It’s not the first time I’ve kept you up, and you never seemed to have a problem before.”

  Heat crept into his cheeks, and he didn’t know why. He and Leanne used to banter like this all the time. “I guess I’m getting old.”

  Leanne laughed. “You look like you’re in plenty good shape to me. Felt like it too, last night.” Her laughter died, and pink tinged her cheeks. “I mean…well, I suppose it came out how I meant it.”

  The thought of her checking him out, and liking it, made him stand a little taller. Isaac was also glad that he wasn’t the only one who was acting all awkward. It made the situation a little more bearable knowing he wasn’t the only one stumbling over himself.

  “I guess I’m out of excuses, then.” He nodded toward the ocean. “Mind if I join you? I haven’t so much as gotten my feet wet today.”

  A grin exploded across Leanne’s face. “Of course. Frolicking through the waves is great and everything, but it’s not quite the same when you’re alone. It tends to make people look at you like you’re crazy.”

  “Wouldn’t they do that even if you weren’t alone?” Isaac asked. The locals often joked about how the tourists acted like they had never seen water before.

  “Yes,” Leanne agreed, “but at least then I’m not the only one who’s nuts.”

  Isaac slipped his sandals off and emptied his pockets before placing his things onto his towel. “I haven’t gotten in a good frolicking in a while. Let’s see what I’ve been missing out on.” He grabbed the bottom of his T-shirt, pulled it up over his head, and dropped it next to him.

  The expression on Leanne’s face was priceless, her eyes a little wider and her lips open. Isaac’s muscles flexed in response.

  Her jaw clamped shut, and she folded her arms over her wet T-shirt, her eyes narrowed. “You have to warn me before you go taking your clothes off.”

  “Why? I’ve never needed to before.” He threw a teasing grin her way.

  “True,” Leanne said slowly. “But it’s been a while, and I’m not used to the view. It’s a little shocking for someone who hasn’t seen those abs in a couple of years.”

  And just like that, Isaac felt like they were back. The last twenty-four hours had proved they still had what it took to recover from Leanne’s absence. The fact that she’d felt comfortable, and worried, enough to ask about his full medicine cabinet, and that he’d told her about his past—about his depression. That said everything.

  That, combined with her showing up to surf that morning, the chemistry he had felt as he’d held her in his arms, and now as they experimented with flirtatious banter, had made up his mind.

  Isaac closed the distance between them and placed a hand on the back of Leanne’s head. She looked into his eyes, questioning. But she didn’t move away. That was promising.

  “I still love you, Leanne. I know I haven’t treated you right since you returned. But if you’ll give me a chance, I’d like to make it up to you.”

  Leanne laughed softly. Her tone was full of disbelief as she said, “I’m sorry, but you’re the one asking for a second chance?” She gave a quick shake of her head. “It’s me who has been needing it this whole time. I’m the one who gets to ask for forgiveness here.”

  “Just as bossy as I remember,” Isaac said, smiling.

  “You bet I am,” Leanne said, though her voice was playful. “Now what does it take for a girl to get kissed around her?”

  Isaac leaned in so his lips hovered just over hers. “I think I can make that happen.”

  This kiss wasn’t like the frantic, passionate ones of the evening before. Those ones had held all the longings, frustrations, and desires that had built up over the past two years.

  This time, when Isaac’s lips touched Leanne’s, it was gentle, like he was telling her that from now on, no matter what happened, he would always be there for her. That he was there for her now. And forever.

  Leanne lost her balance and fell into him. He pulled her close, his face nestled in her hair. Isaac breathed in deeply. She hadn’t changed her shampoo. It was a small comfort that reminded him that she really was the same woman he’d loved for so many years. They had both changed, but not so drastically that they couldn’t work things out. They were meant to be together, and he realized now that that was one thing that hadn’t changed, and it was the most important.

  A dog barked from somewhere behind them, and Isaac turned. A golden retriever was running through the waves, much like Leanne had been just minutes before. Erwin walked along the sand, his gaze not on the dog, but on them.r />
  “I knew it couldn’t be true,” he said, not bothering to hide the fact that he’d been watching them. “I told everyone, just wait and see, they’ll pop up one day and reveal they’ve eloped or something ridiculous like that. It’s Isaac and Leanne we’re talking about. Who knows what crazy thing they’ll come up with?”

  Isaac didn’t know what to say to that. He supposed a walk at the sunset stroll that evening would be a moot point now. They couldn’t very well go back and tell everyone they were just friends. “Looks like you’re stuck with me,” he murmured into Leanne’s ear. “Everyone will know we’re definitely not just friends. Probably within the hour.”

  “I’m okay with that,” Leanne said. “Have been for the past fifteen years.”

  Isaac turned fully to face Erwin and held his hands out. “Just to get the record straight, I wasn’t lying. We had some things to work out, but it appears they have been, and you can rest assured that we did not, in fact, elope. You’ll still get your wedding of the century.” It was a term he’d heard circulating through town, and he kind of liked it.

  “Figures,” Erwin grumbled, almost like he was disappointed they hadn’t eloped. He whistled, and Isaac noticed the golden retriever, Erwin’s beloved Donna, had already made it halfway down the beach. At the sound of her owner’s whistle, she spun around and raced back toward them, sand flying in every direction.

  Erwin paused before turning away. “I just want you to know that this is the best news I’ve heard all year. You two are meant for each other, and we only reacted the way we did because it broke our hearts to see you two apart.”

  Erwin was not the sentimental type, and to hear the sincerity in his voice tugged at Isaac’s emotions. “Thank you,” he said. “That means a lot.” It would have meant something, no matter who said it, but hearing it from the cranky restaurant owner somehow made it mean so much more.

  He slipped an arm around Leanne’s waist as they watched Erwin continue his walk down the beach, Donna running circles around him.

  “Looks like everyone is taking a late lunch break today,” Isaac said, turning to wrap his other arm around her. He grinned. “Guess we couldn’t expect to keep it hidden forever.”

  “Yes,” Leanne said with a wry smile. “We managed all of five minutes.” She hesitated. “Though we hadn’t discussed the wedding aspect of it. Come to think of it, we never have, even before I left.”

  That couldn’t be true. They must have discussed marriage at some point. But after further reflection, he realized that she was right. Them getting married had always just been a given, and they’d never considered otherwise.

  “Too soon?” he asked.

  Leanne cupped a hand behind his neck. “You know I love you, but with everything that has gone on, I think we need some time to process everything. Make sure that we’re back in that same place.” She hesitated. “Kissing on the beach is one thing; saying ‘I do’ to forever is another.”

  Hadn’t Leanne been the one who was ready to start back where they’d left off? She’d seemed ready to jump in with two feet. Had Isaac read things wrong?

  She must have been able to tell what he was thinking—she usually could—and she pulled him down so her forehead rested against his. “I’m not having doubts. I just want to make sure you don’t have any. The last thing I want is for us to do something crazy, like get married tomorrow, and then you realize after that you still haven’t completely forgiven me for what I put you through. We need to do this right—no regrets.”

  Isaac heard everything she had said. He did. But only one phrase stuck out in his mind. “You’d be willing to get married tomorrow?” he asked, grinning.

  Leanne laughed and pushed away. “No. And neither should you.” And then she took off running into the waves.

  Isaac followed her, quickly catching up, and then lifted her into the air. She squirmed, making him lose his balance, and they both fell into the waves. Leanne twisted so she lay on her back, the waves small enough that they lapped over her legs but left the rest of her only damp. Isaac lay next to her and rested his head on one arm. The chill of the ocean waves that splashed over them wasn’t enough to make them move. She looked up at him, watching. There was so much happiness in her eyes that it made him feel like nothing would ever come between them again.

  16

  Isaac walked the road that would lead him to the bed and breakfast, whistling like he didn’t have a care in the world. And he really didn’t. It had been a week since he and Leanne had officially patched things up, but considering how much time they spent together, it might as well have been a month. They had been together enough that her dad, as happy as he was that things had been worked out between them, had given Leanne a strict work schedule so he could count on her being at the bed and breakfast when he needed her.

  Isaac glanced at his phone. Looked like he’d be right on time. She’d have just finished working with her dad, and they’d be able to grab some food at the diner before heading to the beach for the sunset stroll.

  No rules, thank goodness. Isaac cringed when he thought of the stipulations they’d put in place last week in their attempt to prove to the town that they didn’t hate each other.

  As Isaac approached the bed and breakfast, he noticed a sleek black car parked in front. Looked expensive. He walked around it, admiring it but knowing it wasn’t his style. Still, it was nice. Usually the tourists who could afford that kind of car stayed at the resort about a half mile up the coast.

  Probably some fancy pants who wanted to know what it was like to live the small-town life. One weekend in a bed and breakfast wasn’t going to do it, though. Oh, well. Let them live the illusion that they’d stepped outside their lives for a brief moment.

  He walked up the front steps and onto the wraparound porch, but paused when he saw a man walking around from the back. There was no mistaking that the man was the owner of the car. He wore a suit, his graying hair slicked back like he could be in a mobster movie. Who knew, maybe they’d inadvertently welcomed the mafia to their small town. Isaac glanced around, making sure there weren’t more suited men.

  The man spotted Isaac. “Do you work here?”

  “No, I don’t,” Isaac said. “But I know the owners. Can I help you with something?”

  The man had a smooth gait as he worked his way around the porch, and Isaac walked back down the steps to meet him.

  “I’m looking for an acquaintance of mine, and I was told I could find her here.”

  Warning signals went off in Isaac’s head, and every thriller movie he’d ever watched jumped to the front of his mind. Maybe this acquaintance had gotten in over her head—owed someone money or something—and was now trying to hide out in a small-town bed and breakfast. Or this man was an abusive ex-husband, trying to get his wife to come back home. Neither of these situations ended well.

  “Does she know you’re coming?” Isaac asked, trying to act like he didn’t really care about the answer.

  “I tried calling but wasn’t able to get ahold of her,” the man said, now starting to seem impatient. Both scenarios grew more probable by the minute. “Are you able to help me, or shall I continue in my search for whoever runs this place?”

  Isaac decided that dinner with Leanne could wait. He’d better stick around until the man left, just in case he did anything rash. Isaac could hold his own against this guy, much better than Leanne’s parents could. “There’s usually someone at the front desk, or close by,” Isaac said, walking back up the steps toward the front door. “Did you ring the small bell on the counter?”

  The man grunted. “Yeah, I rang the bell. About twenty times.”

  Isaac paused mid-step, surprised, but then remembered he needed to continue to act naturally. It was strange, though, that no one had shown up. Leanne’s family prided themselves on their positive relationships with their guests. The picturesque view and comfortable beds weren’t the only reasons their bed and breakfast had been featured in several national magazines.<
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  “I’ll help you find someone,” Isaac said, opening the front door for the man. The man didn’t bother with a thank you as he walked past Isaac and into the brightly lit entryway. “If you wait right here, I’ll see where they’ve gone off to.” Isaac nodded toward an antique bench that sat against one wall.

  The man grumbled and didn’t sit, but instead leaned against the front desk. “I prefer to stand.”

  Alrighty then.

  Isaac stepped around a corner. He pulled his phone out and texted Leanne.

  Hey, I’m here. But there’s a man up front who says he’s looking for someone. Said he rang the bell a ton of times.

  Isaac waited a moment, but there wasn’t an immediately reply. He texted again.

  You okay?

  It was another moment before his phone chimed.

  Yeah, sorry, be right there. I was helping another guest. Isn’t Jules down there?

  As if Leanne’s text had summoned her, Jules bustled in through a side door, holding a large bag of produce.

  “Oh, good,” Jules said, peeking over what looked like carrot tops protruding from the bag. “Can you take this into the kitchen for me? Mom and Dad left for a date night, and everything went nuts as soon as they left.” She pushed the bag into Isaac’s arms before he could answer.

  “Uh, yeah. Of course.” Isaac lowered his voice. “But just so you know, there’s a sketchy guy hanging out at the desk. Says he’s looking for someone but seemed very hush hush on the details.”

  Jules cocked an eyebrow. “Like this night couldn’t get any weirder.” She straightened her shoulders, plastered on a smile, then moved toward the entryway to greet their newest guest—or whatever he was.

  Isaac went through a door on the opposite side of the room and quickly made his way to the kitchen. He didn’t want Jules alone with that man any longer than necessary. When he entered, he saw Jessie chopping up vegetables at a long industrial-size counter. Smelled like she was making stew. “Hey, Jess.”