Amber bursts into laughter. “No, you wouldn’t have.” She gives me a shy smile, and says in a dreamy voice, “Silas Scott, older brother of Bowie Scott and son of Benjamin Scott.”
“I’ve only ever seen them with ball caps on while they worked on the building,” I comment. “How have you met them?”
Rolling her eyes, Amber says, “I own the only ice cream parlor in town, and we’re ending the second heatwave this year. In September, no less! How’d you think I met them?”
“So, they like ice cream then, huh?”
“Silas has the cookie dough, and his eyes always stay on me when he takes the first lick. My heart thuds and my panties melt.”
“And that’s it? Lust over cookie dough?”
“Oh yes.” Amber giggles and fans herself. “So, I’m supposed to be helping you set up for book club.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“I thought you liked book club.”
“I do when we’re discussing books; however, we seem to discuss other things more than books.” I sigh. “I’m getting tired of it.”
“Then, we’ll both direct the book talk.” She flutters her lashes. “Are you driving to the lake with Shep?”
“We haven’t decided.” Grinning, I add, “I have a new bikini.”
“No naughty business in the lake, Louisa Ryland,” Amber says, using Mom’s stern voice.
“With everyone watching, no thank you.”
“So,” she says gently, “I have an idea.”
Warily, I watch her from the corner of my eye. “Go on.”
“We need to fix Blu up with someone. I think it will ease her disappointment if there is another guy on the scene. What do you think?”
“Shep tried that already. I don’t think it worked out all that well.”
“Who?” she asks, rearranging a display on the circular table by the door.
“Blake and Emile.”
Amber bursts out laughing. “Well, they’d certainly be a distraction.” She frowns. “I’ve always wondered what it would feel like to have two, um”—she furiously blushes—“you know.”
Laughing, I snort, and laugh some more. “I wish you actually finished that sentence properly.”
“Seriously though… Humph! Stop laughing at me.”
“Sis, use your imagination, or go and ask Silas. I’m sure he’d oblige you and play with your toys.” I snicker, giving her my back so she doesn’t see my own blush creeping up on my cheeks.
“I’m going before I burn your shop down.” The bell jingles as she leaves.
Sagging into the bookshelf, I get the feeling I’m not alone and quickly turn. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Your sister left in a rush as I was coming through the door.” He holds his hand out. “We haven’t been introduced. Benjamin Scott. My friends call me Ben.”
I shake his hand. “Louisa Ryland. Welcome to Blossom Creek, Ben.”
“Thank you. I never thought I’d say this, but my sons were right when they said this is the change we all need. It’s a lovely town. Rather hot at the moment though.”
“I can’t wait for snow, which are words I never thought I’d utter.”
He clears his throat. “I have some business cards… I was wondering if you’d keep some here for your customers.”
“I’d love to.” I take a small box from him. “Are you a vet as well?”
“Retired. It’s all my two sons now.” He smiles.
“Bowie and Silas, right? I’ve been hearing about them.” I grin.
“Yes. I’ve been told they are the talk of the town along with the doctors. It looks like everything is happening at once.”
“It is. I’m sure there will be new pet owners calling in once Bowie and Silas open the door for business.”
He laughs with a twinkle in his eye. “And will you be one of them?”
“I’m in love with my boyfriend, so I’m afraid you’ll have to count me out. Not sure about my sister though.”
“Amber, right? Sweet girl.”
I quickly cover up a snort of laughter. “Sweet isn’t the word I’d use. More like…determined.”
“Ah! No doubt I’m going to be entertained, huh?”
“And what about yourself?” I ask softly, hoping I’m not being too inquisitive to someone I don’t know. He makes me feel comfortable.
“I’m too old for all that nonsense.”
“Who on earth told you that? Because I have it on good authority that there is a lady in this town who has been swooning over the sight of you.”
His eyes widen in surprise and a lovely blush coats his cheeks. “Oh, well, um.”
Laughing, I add, “I think we both know which lady I’m talking about.” Stopping with the teasing, I say, “Judith is a lovely woman, and she’s been alone for a long time. Her son, Shep, owns the coffeehouse. Hardworking family.”
“It’s been a long time for me too.” A whimsical look crosses his face. “My wife, Julie, the boys’ mom, passed away twelve years ago. Cancer. It’s not been the same without her.”
“You’re close to Bowie and Silas?”
“Yes. They’re good boys. I want them to have a life like I had with their mother.” He sighs. “None of us like change, but when this opportunity came up, they said they’d only go for it if I was involved too. I had to move with them. I joke that they only wanted me to move in with them so they wouldn’t have to cook. I know that isn’t it, but it’s funny to tell.”
“That’s really sweet of them.” I sigh. “My parents have always lived here; Amber and I were born here. A few years ago, Mom and Dad decided they’d retire, so Amber bought them out of the ice cream parlor. They helped me buy this bookstore. Blossom Creek is a great town to live in.”
“I’m beginning to realize that. Although, I am debating warning the boys about the pending arrival of single women with new pets.”
I grin. “As their father who wants them to get married and have children, I think you should withhold that information.”
“I think you might be right.” He shuffles toward the door. “On that note, I need to be getting along. Lovely to talk to you, Louisa.”
“Lovely to meet you, Ben. Please don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t.”
I think I’ve done my bit of getting him to notice Judith, and maybe a word to his boys about Amber.
My work here is done.
7
Shep
Blu closed up shop early today and has been hanging out in the coffeehouse ever since, driving me nuts with innuendo. She’s a friend and always has been, so I feel like a dick for sneaking around with Louisa. I’m an adult. So is Louisa. So is Blu. I need to man up and tell Blu I’ve never been interested in her in the way she wants me to be. I just can’t blindside Louisa by blurting it all out now. It’s on the tip of my tongue though because she’s driving me nuts. I’m annoyed too.
Scowling, I rub my brows, trying to get at the headache coming on.
Finally, the last customer leaves.
I bring the board in from outside, and I turn the sign on the door to “Closed” then engage the lock. I hesitate as I wonder if I can get rid of Blu now that I’m locking up.
“I’ll clean the tables,” she chirps.
Fuck!
“Um, you don’t need to do that. It’s book club tonight, right? Don’t you have to get ready or something?”
“It’s across the street, Shep.” Blu continues cleaning while I head behind the counter and start removing shelves of cakes.
Some will be refrigerated for tomorrow, same with the three sandwiches. The two sponge and cream muffins need to go in the trash. Rob takes over cleaning the counters while I take the drawer from the register into my office.
Bookkeeping isn’t something I thought I’d enjoy but I do. The solitude at the end of a busy day is always welcome as I work out the day’s intake.
Thirty minutes later, I have it all finished up and locked in the safe. We bank ev
ery morning, and, in the years I’ve owned this business, I’ve never had trouble. And hopefully it won’t start now.
I sit for a few more minutes with my feet kicked up on the desk and lean back as I ponder life. The life I want with Louisa. The woman who is my everything.
The thought of losing Blu as a friend hurts, but I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that. It can’t come to that, not with how close Louisa and Blu are. It would devastate Louisa.
“So, Rob and I are cleaning, while you are taking a break, huh,” Blu says.
“I’ve just finished the banking.” I stand and scowl at the woman, who frowns and fidgets in return.
“Perhaps I should go?”
I let out a sound of relief, nothing subtle about it either. I wince. “Thanks for helping.”
“I’ll see you at the lake tomorrow, right?”
“I’ll be there.” With Louisa.
Rob coughs behind Blu’s back and watches her leave.
“Are you done?” I snap. “Sorry.”
“No worries. I’d be snappy in your situation.” Without expanding on that, he grabs his stuff and leaves.
It’s no wonder I have a headache from hell brewing at my temples.
I slump back into the chair and listen to the silence. The coffeehouse always has the sound of chatter within its walls during opening hours. It’s a meeting place, or on some occasions a place to hang out and get work done on one’s laptop. Hence why there are electrical sockets at each table.
Way back when my plan had been to leave Blossom Creek for college and never to return, other than to visit my mom. However, my plan changed that summer before I left for college because I fell in love with one of my best friends. Back then I was scared to tell her in case I ruined our friendship.
While at college we’d spoken often, more often than I had with anyone else, which is why I moved home once I graduated. Then Blu happened while I was trying to work up the courage to tell Louisa how I felt about her.
A number of years passed while neither of us dated, until I finally grew some fucking balls and told Louisa. It was more the case of me blurting out the words “I love you” over boxes of books I was helping her move. And that was that. She burst into tears and jumped into my arms.
Rubbing at my brows once more, I look up and find the woman of my dreams leaning against the doorjamb.
“Hello, beautiful.” I hold my hand out.
Padding toward me slowly, she says, “Hello, handsome.”
Situating her straddling my lap, I wrap my arms around her and bury my face into the curve of her neck, and inhale. Slowly exhaling, I admit, “I’m home.”
“You make me tingle and my heart pound, do you know that?”
I meet her gaze and wiggle my brows. “Tell me more about the tingles.”
Her cheeks flush as she chews on her bottom lip. “I ache too.” She presses down, rocking slowly on my erection.
“My ache is rapidly building.” I snicker.
Grinning, Louisa holds me tight, nuzzling into my neck, her breath tickling my ear. “I like this position.”
I grab onto her hips, and with the way my body feels, I’m not sure if I should stop or encourage her. I choose the latter and tug her forward so the head of my cock is pressed right between her legs.
“Oh!” Louisa wiggles and gasps, her breathing heavy. “I didn’t come to see you for a quickie. I just wanted to see you before book club.”
“Kiss me.”
Her lips are warm and soft against mine as she holds my face in her gentle hands while her tongue plunders my mouth. My dick feels like it’s going to burst as pleasure surges through my body with how greedy her little pussy is for friction.
Growling, I move and press Louisa into my desk, having her lie back. I rip into my pants, fisting my dripping cock while I hope like hell I don’t come just yet.
“That’s really hot,” Louisa hisses. “What would be hotter is if you were inside me.”
I toss her dress up to her waist and press my fingers against her soaked panties. She moans and wiggles. “Shep, fuck me!”
“Fuck.” Moving her panties to the side, I grab my cock and thrust into pure heat.
My legs tremble as the sensation of her warm, wet pussy strangling my dick tumbles through me. Desperate to come, I clench my molars and pump into heaven while our eyes stay connected. My fingers hunt out that small nub of pleasure between her legs as my thrusts turn deeper, harder.
Her pussy quivers around my flesh when I tighten my ass and fuck her raw and hard. I lean over and capture her sweet lips with mine.
Louisa digs her fingernails into my shoulders and lets out a loud guttural cry into my mouth as she explodes. Her pussy convulses and sucks my dick, and I come with her. A grunt and hiss leave my mouth as I give Louisa every part of me. My breathing ragged, I prop myself up and slowly rock my hips, prolonging the sensation.
“How am I going to concentrate on book club after that?”
I laugh and pull out of her, wincing when my release follows. “You’re a mess, babe.”
“Um, book club.”
“I’m sure your mom or Maureen will hold the meeting.” I grab tissues and give her a wicked grin as I clean her up.
“Your mom has her eyes on Benjamin Scott, I think.”
“What?” I give her an incredulous glare.
Louisa rolls her eyes as I help her back on her feet. “She’s been alone a long time, Shep. I think it’s sweet that someone has caught her eye.”
I scowl, not sure I like the idea of my mom dating.
Moving in closer, Louisa slides her hands around my neck. “Don’t you think it’s sweet?”
“That’s not the word I’d use.”
“Shep, she’s your mom, so it’s going to feel weird for you, but I think it’s nice.”
She’s right. “It’s weird and I’m not sure I ever want to think about my mom dating and what she might get up to.”
“Jeez.” Louisa giggles, and slaps a quick kiss to my lips before leaving my arms. “She’s still young enough to enjoy a fantastic sex life.”
“I’m going to puke.”
With tears of laughter in her eyes, Louisa comes back over to me, her hands smoothing my chest. “I shouldn’t tease but you are so funny. In all seriousness, I honestly think it’s nice that someone has caught her attention. She’s caught his attention too.”
“And you know this how?”
“He told me earlier today when he came into the store.” I wink. “I need to go upstairs and change my panties, thanks to your sexiness.”
Grinning like a fool, I pull her back into my arms. My hands grab her ass and I kiss her deeply before releasing her. “I’m going to wait down here because if I come upstairs with you, you’ll be late.”
“I’ll be back after the club finishes, if that’s okay?”
“Louisa, I want you in my bed every night, even if it’s only to sleep. You never have to ask.”
“Tomorrow. Before we go to the lake. We’ll talk to Blu. I’m not hiding anymore. I want to be able to live together, Shep.”
Moving toward where she waits at the bottom of the stairs, I cup her beautiful face and rest my forehead against hers. “I love you and want nothing more than to live with you.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “Tomorrow.”
I tap her on the butt as she heads upstairs.
I’m not going to think about tomorrow, otherwise it will drive me nuts. So, instead my mom and dating pops into my head. I immediately shove that out too. I shudder. I don’t ever want to think about my mother dating.
8
Louisa
My bookstore is bursting at the seams tonight with the usual crowd: Vivien, Ingrid, Blu, Emma, Kennedy, Judith, Maureen, and sisters Wynter and Summer. Kennedy has also brought her sister, Tia. Mom and my sister are here, as well as Teagan, who rarely puts in an appearance. Beatrice is missing due to the fact she’s extremely fatigued with the pregnancy. Judith is running late as usual. There are a fe
w faces I know by sight but not by name, and then there is the young veterinary nurse who only moved into town two days ago. She looks nervous and unsure, not knowing anyone. Well, that is about to change.
I slip my way between bodies and smile at the young woman. I want to laugh because I’m not exactly old myself at twenty-seven. This woman looks about nineteen, but that can’t be right.
“I’m Louisa Ryland, owner of this store.” I smile. “Welcome to Blossom Creek.”
“Nora Jenkins.” She smiles. “I feel a bit lost.”
“Oh, don’t worry. You’ll soon have friends. A few here tonight came to town, met their guys, and stayed.” I laugh at the look of horror on her face.
“I’m here to work.” She leans a bit closer and whispers, “Although the idea of finding a good guy sounds awesome, my brother is a bear.”
“He in town too?”
“Ezra arrived two weeks ago. He’s a doctor and working out of the new surgery center.”
“Oh, well, a word of advice. Anything you don’t want known by the town gossips, which I have to admit are my mother and her best friend, then you have to be secretive about it.” I give her a wink. “At least to begin with, it can be fun sneaking around.”
Nora raises a brow. “Oh!”
“I’m not telling.” I laugh. “Let me introduce you to some of those ladies I mentioned.” On second thought… “I hope you don’t embarrass easily.” And with that, I interrupt the girls.
“This is Nora, a nurse at the veterinary clinic. This is Emma, who is married to the town sheriff, Jared. Kennedy is dating the fire chief, Zeke. Emma and Kennedy are cousins. Vivien has just married Emma’s brother, Levi, and her Vivien’s sister here, Ingrid, has just married a deputy, Nathan. I think I have all that straight. And this is Blu, who owns the flower shop.”
“Wow.” Nora laughs.
“I should mention”—Emma grins—“that Kennedy’s brother, Ryker, is married to Beatrice, who runs the deli. We also have two cousins working at the firehouse, Blake and Emile.”
Vivien snorts. “You might want to give them a wide birth. They do everything together, if you know what I mean.”
Secret Love in Blossom Creek Page 3