What If: A Small Town Big Love Novel

by Collins, Kelly

  He wasn’t mad, but he was frustrated. It had been kind of a dumb thing, kissing her when they had unfinished business. It wasn’t entirely her fault that she felt like he had an ulterior motive. But because he was well-off financially, there was always this internal filtering—second-guessing what people meant when he was with them. He could never like someone and have it be that simple. Someone always had a motive. Funny that she thought the same thing about him.

  He pulled into the Main Street Restaurant instead of going straight to the B&B. He got the car door for her, even if it was going to be only business between them. He’d been raised with manners.

  “I guess these small towns don’t have a lot of originality when it comes to street names and restaurant names,” said Lucy, making small talk.

  It was true. Blackwood had its own Main Street and a restaurant of the same name.

  He studied her.

  “Are you mad at me because I said you and Caleb flirted with us for a purpose?”

  “No.”

  “Okay, not mad but you’re something at me.”

  “I am.” He nodded.

  “Does that mean you won't hit on me anymore?”

  “I shouldn’t.”

  “I’m sorry I said anything.” She walked ahead of him into the restaurant. She didn’t stomp or storm; she went inside and stopped.

  He hadn’t expected to see Caleb and Deena there, but there they were.

  “Hey, kids,” Caleb called to them from a nearby booth.

  Lucy approached and sat next to Deena. John took the seat by Caleb, which put him across from Lucy. It was awkward. If he sat next to her, he could have avoided eye contact, which was what she was doing. That would have been easier than having to look into her beautiful eyes and stare at those amazing lips.

  While on the outside she gave the impression she didn’t care one way or another if he liked her or if he flirted, he knew she didn’t want him to stop. He decided he wouldn't make it easy on her. He wasn’t going to stop pursuing her. His attraction had nothing to do with the sale of Blackwood. There was something about her that pulled him in.

  He extended his foot and stroked her calf. He watched her face transform, but she pretended to be fixed on the menu. John could see out of the corner of his eye that Caleb caught on to his doing something, and Lucy was ignoring him.

  “How was the ride up here?” his brother asked.

  “It was fine.” She put down the menu. “Did you guys already eat?”

  “Yes,” said Deena anxiously. “I built up an appetite.” Her cheeks pinked, no doubt from embarrassment. She’d told them that she and Caleb had been getting a workout and he was certain it didn’t happen at the gym.

  “Are you going to wait for us to eat, and then we’ll all talk?”

  “That was the plan.”

  “So, you guys are selling, and you’re going to give me money to move, right?”

  “Yes.” Caleb picked up his glass and emptied the contents.

  Finally, Lucy looked John in the eye. It was as if he hadn’t seen her in forever, and he realized he missed her.

  “Yes,” said John calmly. “That’s the plan.”

  “This place has a Main Street,” she said. “Just like home. I’m happy to keep it in mind while we’re here.”

  “What do you mean?” John asked. “Like checking out places to move?”

  “Yes.” She shrugged. “I like the way it looks. It’s a little glitzy. Almost like a pretend mountain town, but it’s cute, and I’m going to have to move.” Despite her trying to stay upbeat, her voice softened and died to a whisper.

  Intent on keeping things positive, John added, “It’s cute. We love it here, don’t we, Cal?”

  “Oh, I thought you chose here because it was neutral, and we could talk.” She arched her brow. “Okay, well, we’ve done that. I’m coming to terms with the fact you’re selling, and I’m moving. We can at least agree on that.”

  John couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She stared at him with an expression that said she wouldn’t fight it anymore. She was ready to move forward.

  Chapter Eight

  Lucy

  “Since you guys ate, and we’ve taken care of business, go do what you want to do, and we’ll do the same. We’ll catch up with you two later. Does that sound like a good plan?” Lucy looked between Caleb and Deena.

  Deena scrambled sideways, pushing at Lucy to move. She couldn’t get out of the booth fast enough. Lucy was right on the money about Deena and Caleb. They were dying to spend time alone. She and John scooted out of the booth to let the new lovebirds out and within minutes, they were by themselves. They sat back down while a busboy cleared the table of empty breakfast dishes. She picked up her menu again.

  “Isn’t that better?” She eyed him over the menu.

  He stared at her in a way that made her positively shiver. She stirred the coffee the waitress dropped off and looked around. The place looked like a slightly better version of the diner back in Blackwood.

  In fact, the whole town looked the same, except slightly more commercial. There were more shops, and the buildings had a better finish. It was almost too cute or trendy for her. She found it funny that they’d left Blackwood and traveled to a lookalike folksy town to play tourist.

  It tugged at her heart because people found what she had at home so novel that they would travel the distance and pay money to stay there. Idaho Springs drew lots of out-of-state tourists, if the license plates in the parking lot were a clue.

  She kept her mouth shut, not wanting to start that conversation now. Things were smooth between John and her, but she would earmark that thought if she thought it would do her some good.

  She looked up to find him studying her. “You can’t figure me out, can you?”

  “No,” he said honestly. “I can a little, but no, not entirely.”

  He stretched his arms along the back of the booth. He reminded her of an eagle or some large bird of prey. His long reach resembled the span of huge wings. He was something wonderful to look at.

  “That’s okay. Neither can I. So, if we’re going to explore this cute little town on foot, I think I'll need a pair of practical shoes. Are you interested in a walk?”

  John nodded. There was a twinkle in his eye that gave Lucy hope.

  “I’m interested, very interested.” His velvet-like voice made it seem like his interest was in more than a walk.

  “Me too. So, interested.” She stood and leaned across the table and kissed him. She made it long enough so she could entwine her tongue with his. Long enough to enjoy but want more. When he’d asked earlier if she wanted him to take his kiss back, she was worried he’d try to, by pretending it never happened. She’d never forget that kiss.

  She cupped the back of his head when she kissed him and was pulling away to sit back down when he grabbed her hands and held them in place. He made her look into his eyes.

  “We’ve talked business,” he said. “Can we officially declare this is no longer a business trip? Are you okay with that?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “To be honest, I’ve wanted to be on a date with you from the moment I saw you.”

  He nodded slightly, regarding her like he was thinking. Besides being a handsome man, he had loads of personality, which made him more alluring. He was one of those guys a girl wouldn’t tire of easily. She was captivated.

  “To be honest with you, I’ve wanted the same thing since the tire pressure debacle.”

  She sat back down, feeling too stirred up to eat, like she was on the verge of having too many cups of coffee. Not jittery, just antsy.

  He reached over her menu and pointed to a picture of a yogurt parfait.

  She cringed.

  “I think we each need to order one so we can move on. What do you say?” He lowered his chin and lifted his deep, dark, and hypnotic eyes.

  He had to know he was irresistible and used it to his advantage.

  “You want a parfait?” She coul
dn’t believe yogurt would be his meal of choice when he looked at her like he was starving.

  “I don’t want to have yogurt awkwardness between us.”

  He took the menu from her and set both down to signal the waitress.

  Lucy felt sick, but he was right; she wasn’t so keen about her favorite breakfast because she’d used it as a weapon. A deadly dairy projectile.

  “We’d like two yogurt parfaits,” he said.

  “What size?” The waitress spoke in a monotone as if some kind of inflection or emotion would affect her tip.

  “Oh, they come in sizes?” he asked. “I think we’ll take two large, extra large if you have them. Can’t get enough of the stuff. Almost bathed in it once.”

  The waitress gave him a look that said she would have liked to see him in nothing but yogurt. “We got jumbo.”

  “Perfect.” He smiled and the waitress left.

  “Are you gloating?”

  “Just having fun.”

  “Fine, but can this be the last yogurt joke?”

  “Possibly.”

  When the waitress set them down, Lucy took in the bowl that could have been shared. She drank her water, but didn’t take a bite.

  John saw she was avoiding it and took her spoon, loaded it up, and fed her.

  “See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

  She frowned. “I prefer strawberry, but you’re right, it’s good.” She took the spoon from him and ate the rest herself. She had to eat something because she’d had two cups of coffee on an empty stomach. Between the acid and her attraction to John, her belly burned and turned, but a coating of yogurt settled things nicely.

  They were in and out of the restaurant quickly and then headed over to the B&B John had rented out. It was a place called The Miner’s Pick, a sweet, beautifully restored yellow cottage with pine green and white accents. It had clearly been a home before the advent of things like B&Bs.

  This was what Lucy had tried to inspire by marketing Blackwood, and it had worked—worked so well that she was about to lose the town she loved. What hurt the most was they would do what she’d tried. Only they would succeed because they had the resources to make it happen.

  She wasn’t sure if any of the homes of her neighbors were as charming, but the business she’d steered their way inspired pride that made her happy. It was unfair that Blackwood Corporation wouldn’t give the people of Blackwood a chance to build something like this on their own. Then again, they’d had years to do it and hadn’t.

  She took a deep breath and rerouted her mind to date mode. The owner of The Miner’s Pick greeted them briefly. She had stopped by to meet them since John paid her extra to vacate the house while they were there.

  Lucy walked into the cottage and looked at the furnishings with awe. It was exactly what she had been going for when she’d decorated her place back in Blackwood—her soon to be former place, she reminded herself.

  Soft calico curtains hung from multi-paned windows. A dried wreath and beautiful touches like old-time gadgets were showcased like works of art. Lucy had a few of the same or similar things, while this homeowner had a slightly different, but not better collection.

  John came up behind her as she was absorbing the surroundings. He was so intuitive, like he could read her. It was why she popped off so easily at him. He didn’t fall for her tricks.

  “Are you studying?” he asked softly.

  “I am.” She admired the house. “This is cute.”

  “What you’ve done to my mom and dad’s place is just as good.”

  She turned to him. “You like what I’ve done with your old house?” Surprise colored her voice. “You noticed?”

  He turned his head as if to ask her ‘how could you even ask such a question?’ “I noticed, baby.” The term of endearment rolled off his tongue tentatively, like he was trying it on for size. “When it comes to you, I notice everything.”

  She smiled as the heat of a blush rose to her cheeks. She liked his little nickname for her, especially since it happened naturally. She missed intimacies shared between two people with an undeniable attraction to one another. She’d always wanted someone to call her baby or sweetheart and mean it. John Blackwood kept getting better and better.

  Her house was a tender subject. She liked that he appreciated her touches, but she thought better of fully discussing them. She had a question she would ask him later, once they were settled. Was he going to tear the house down? She let the thought go in order to stay in the moment, but the more she admired the B&B, the more it made her envious and she liked it less. She tried to put it out of her mind. None of this was fair.

  “So … this place has four bedrooms, and three of them are available.”

  That was his way of reinforcing the message that Caleb and Deena were sleeping together. She picked out a room for herself randomly and John dutifully set her bag down.

  Noticing how close she’d be to their room, she scrunched her nose and made a face. “I don’t want to hear them.”

  His eyes were dreamy and sensual as he looked at her. “Do you want see where I’ll sleep?” His liquid tone seeped under her skin.

  “Yeah,” she said with a soft laugh.

  A flood of adoration warmed her like she’d gulped delicious coffee, a rich decadent brew with chocolate and whipped cream. Whatever edges that came with a first-date situation were softening between them. Lucy was getting comfortable with John.

  This part of the house was dark. The curtains needed to be opened and some of the shutters folded back. John was a tall but well-cut shadowy figure moving in front of her. Even out of focus, the lines of his physique registered hot and sexy.

  She shimmied close behind him even though the cottage was cozy, and it wasn’t like she’d get separated or lost. She stayed tucked up to him because she wanted to be near him—to touch him. She was struck by the fact that he knew his way around the place. She had a sharp, sinking feeling he’d been here before. Maybe this was his spot.

  Lucy stopped in the hallway, but John kept going, not realizing she wasn’t close behind anymore. She stood wondering if this was their game. Did they bring women to this spot for fun? Maybe it was time to think things through using her head instead of her heart or lady bits.

  “Hey, where’d you go?” He popped his head out of the doorframe at the end of the hallway.

  “Can I ask you a direct question?”

  “Always.”

  “Is this like your go-to spot? This house? Other women?” she asked. “You walk around here like you’ve been here before.”

  “I have been here. Cal and I like it. When we come to Idaho Springs, we like to say here.”

  “Are you a hound? I mean, do you and Cal bring women here often?”

  He reached for her but she was out of touch. “Come here.”

  “It’s okay.” She stayed where she was.

  “No, it’s not. I want to hold you when I talk to you.” He backtracked and took her hand, leading her to his room. Bathed in the soft light of partially opened blinds, she could see him clearly.

  He slouched down to look her straight in the eyes.

  “Cal and I have sowed our wild oats, but I’m not sowing with you. I promise. I like to give Mrs. Obermeier our business because I happen to know she’s a widow. Cal and I like to gamble. This is not our chick lair. Okay?”

  “All right.” She wanted to believe him and she had no reason not to. He hadn’t lied to her once since they’d met.

  “Okay?” he asked more softly.

  He lowered his mouth to reach hers and slipped his tongue inside her open lips. The kiss was passionate and so smooth that Lucy nearly turned to liquid. She gasped and sank into him.

  John’s room was like twilight. He reached around her to the dimmer switch to adjust the lighting to a soft glow setting. He did know the room.

  She was nervous, and when she was edgy, she tended to think the worst. She did her best to avoid that now.

  They moved tog
ether, kissing and feeling each other’s bodies with eager hands. He delicately held her jaw with the tips of his fingers before sliding them through her hair.

  “You like my hair, don’t you?” Her voice was above a bedroom whisper.

  “I love your hair.”

  Without ceremony, he lifted her onto the mattress, which was set upon a high frame. It allowed him to stand straighter. They gazed intently at one another. Lucy thought he looked like he was considering something or he was having second thoughts.

  She gave him the green light. “Aren’t you going to finish?”

  His eyes widened enough to be funny.

  “Nope,” he said. The golden flecks of his irises picked up the light. “I’ll continue, but I’m not sure I’ll ever be finished.”

  She slipped off her sweater to reveal a body honed by yoga. She was fit and compact, thanks to eating lean, workouts, and bouts of poverty. She was proud to share herself with him, though she had a strong element of shyness.

  “You’re beautiful,” he murmured, looking at her like she was something special. He kissed her lazily as his hands roamed her body.

  Her fingers felt around for the hem of his shirt, pulling it off to see what was hidden beneath his casual attire.

  He reached her fumbling fingers and took over. Swiftly, he unfastened his shirt and tossed it aside.

  Lucy nearly choked. Her throat tightened as she laid eyes on his magnificence. He was a man who clearly spent time in the gym. Broad shoulders led to a defined chest and ripples of muscles that narrowed to a slim waist.

  “My goodness,” she said. “You’re so freaking hot.”

  “It is warm in here,” he said with a touch of wickedness as he slowly leaned into her.

  Lucy laid back into the fluff of bedding while John went to work removing her clothes. He unzipped her jeans, which were mercifully a cotton spandex blend, and they slipped from her body. Her lacy thong rolled but lingered on her hips.

  He made a face like he’d been wounded. Lucy took that as a great compliment. If he was acting, he deserved an Oscar. Regardless, it was still a thrilling gesture.