All I've Waited For

by Lindsay Harrel

  Chapter 9

  Nothing allowed a man to take out his frustrations like wielding a nail gun.

  Derek eyed the Iridescent Inn’s wooden flooring and determined the best place for the first hole. Holding the air gun at a forty-five-degree angle, he sent a nail flying into the wood. Then he moved the gun about six inches to the left and shot again.

  Yes, definitely satisfying.

  “I think you’re enjoying that a bit too much, man.” Ben dropped the next piece of wood between Derek and Evan, who sat on his knees against the concrete with a tapping block and mallet. “Thanks to you both for coming to help.”

  “I don’t mind one bit. Madison’s hosting a book club at her house and I’m between classes, so I didn’t have much going on tonight.” Grabbing the new piece, Evan set it next to the wood Derek had just finished nailing. “Plus a bit of manual labor always feels nice. I haven’t had the chance for much of that lately.”

  Personally, Derek had a ton of other things he could be doing right now at the vineyard, but he grunted in agreement anyway and jammed another nail through the wood.

  “I appreciate it nonetheless. When Bella suggested renovating these rooms, I kept putting it off. The summer season kind of snuck up on me, but we’re almost done. Just the three rooms on this north part of the inn are left.”

  The inn had sustained heavy damage during the earthquake last year, but Derek never would have known it otherwise. Ben must have worked hours on end to get it looking as nice as it did now.

  Once Evan had tapped the next wooden piece into place, Derek followed along with the gun. Ben measured the gap between the end of the wood and the wall and headed out the door to the table saw. They’d only completed two rows so far, but according to Ben, the pace would pick up once they could use the flooring nailer.

  “How was France?” Evan started on the next row, pushing the grooves onto the tongue of the second row. “I can’t believe you’ve been back for a few weeks and we’re just now hanging out.” He tapped the boards together.

  “Sorry about that. Things have been busy.” The whir of the saw in the hallway cut through the air. “But to answer your question, it was great. I learned a lot that I’ll be able to implement at our vineyard. Made some great connections too. All in all, it was a good use of my time.”

  “I’ll say.” Evan grinned. “You came back with a fiancée, after all. Did you guys date for long?”

  “Not exactly. We were friends first and one thing kind of led to another.” Derek used his forearm to wipe away a trail of sweat from his hairline. When had the room grown so stuffy?

  Glancing up from his mallet, Evan fixed him with a knowing look. “My story with Madison is kind of similar. Although she actually hated me when we first met. Well, met again for the first time since high school.”

  “Sounds like an interesting story.” Derek didn’t miss the spark in Evan’s eyes when he spoke about his girlfriend. His ribs squeezed.

  “It is. And like you, I don’t think you have to date very long before you know someone is the one.”

  Derek coughed, scratching at a sudden itch on the back of his neck. “Does that mean you’re planning to propose?”

  “Not quite yet. She’s still settling into town and her new job. But hopefully the timing will be right soon enough.”

  “Congrats. That’s great, man. Sounds like you guys are happy.”

  Ben came back in with a few more pieces of wood and set them on the ground, then leaned down to mark how long the last plank in the current row needed to be. “Evan here is more than happy. He’s a regular sap these days.”

  Evan chucked a stray piece of felt underlayment at Ben. “You’re one to talk.”

  “Nah, just you.”

  “So if Bella was to walk in this room right now, you’d just keep on working then, is that right?”

  “Yep.”

  “Liar.”

  Straightening, Ben rocked back on his heels. “Fine, you win. I’d march straight over to her, kiss her, and tell her I’m the luckiest man in the world for having a woman like her believing in me and challenging me to be better. That what you wanted to hear?”

  “Yep.” Evan started whistling as he plunked the next piece of flooring into place.

  Derek listened to his friends’ exchange, the ease with which they spoke about the women they loved, and something inside his chest rang hollow.

  “What’s this about kissing and whispering sweet nothings in my ear?”

  They all turned to find Bella standing in the doorway, a clear pitcher of lemonade and a stack of red Solo cups on a tray. Behind her stood Ashley.

  It was like she’d materialized straight from Derek’s thoughts.

  His whole body flamed hot.

  While Ben and Evan eagerly made their way toward the women and the lemonade, Derek got to his feet and pushed open a window. The cool breeze of early evening skimmed his cheeks, allowing him to breathe more easily. But it didn’t loosen the thought that had been on a continuous loop in his brain for the last twenty-four hours since Ashley’s revelation.

  They’d loved each other at the same time.

  They could have had something amazing.

  He might not be preparing to marry Claire right now. He might be …

  No. Fact was he was preparing to marry Claire. And doing so was going to save Dad’s legacy.

  Things had worked out exactly as they were supposed to.

  “Derek, you want something to drink?” Ben’s voice pulled him back to reality.

  “Sure.” He left the window open and walked over to the semicircle the other four had formed. After thanking Bella for the cup of lemonade, Derek turned to Ashley. “Surprised to see you here.”

  Was she following him? But that was ridiculous. Yeah, they’d both been quiet on the hike back to the lodge yesterday, but she had a lot going on in her life. Ashley Baker was going places. She definitely wasn’t sitting around pining after him.

  Ashley took a sip of lemonade, lifting an eyebrow as she studied him. “This is my brother’s inn.”

  “Right.” Duh. He slammed back a swallow from his own cup, coughing at the drink’s sour bite.

  “We were talking through a few more wedding plans.” Bella collected the guys’ empty cups. “I guess we’d better get back to it.”

  After Ben leaned in to kiss Bella, the women retreated.

  Good. Back to shooting nails.

  Ben started up the saw in the hallway again.

  “Speaking of wedding plans, how are yours coming, Derek?” Evan resumed his position behind the last finished row of wooden planks.

  Derek sighed and plunked down beside Evan again. “They were going smoothly until our venue canceled on us yesterday.” His hands clenched the gun’s handle as he waited for Evan to be done fitting the joints together.

  “No way.” Evan frowned. “What are you going to do?”

  “I’m not sure yet. Ashley is still calling around to see if anything else is available, but it’s not looking promising.”

  Ben entered the room once more. “What’s wrong?”

  “His venue got canceled.” Evan looked from Ben to Derek. “What about the vineyard?”

  “You have to be licensed for events, and we’re not.” If they had been, the fix would have been simple. But Dad had never thought much beyond the wine. Once they had their feet under them again, though, Derek would look into what it would take to hold events there. His sisters would probably be great at managing them.

  Ben pushed his safety goggles up onto his forehead. “What about having it here?”

  “Here, like at the inn?”

  “Sure, why not? The calendar is clear since we haven’t started hosting outside events just yet, and I think a lot of our guests that weekend are your out-of-town guests anyway.”

  “Wow, man. That would be amazing.” He didn’t deserve Ben’s generosity. “Let me know how much it costs, but I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”

  “Du
de, I’m insulted.” Ben squatted and punched Derek on the shoulder. “No charge.”

  “You have to let me do something.” Yeah, he and Ben had been best friends their whole lives, but Derek wouldn’t mooch off of him—especially since he hadn’t been the best at staying in touch since he’d been gone.

  Maybe that could change, though. He’d forgotten how much he’d missed surrounding himself with good guys who could make him a better man. A stronger one.

  Eyeing their progress on the floor, he put aside the nail gun and snagged the flooring gun instead. The extra power pulsed from his fingertips through his entire body.

  “You’re here, aren’t you? Besides, we’re already getting the place fixed up for our wedding, so it’s not a lot of extra work.”

  Well, that solved one major problem on Derek’s list.

  Now if only he could get Ashley Baker out of his head.

  Chapter 10

  Sixteen days before his wedding, and he was just getting the first official tour of the place where he would make Claire his wife.

  Of course, he’d spent time here as a kid and teen. But that was a lifetime ago.

  So much had happened since then.

  “This is the ballroom.” Ashley stopped next to double doors leading into a large space on the upper level of the Iridescent Inn. Ben and Bella were out but had apparently given Ashley permission to do the tour solo.

  If he’d known that, Derek would have brought Heather or Christina along. Or better yet, Mia. Four-year-old nieces made great buffers.

  As Ashley flicked on the lights, they stepped into the room. Derek couldn’t hold back a low whistle at the impressive sight before him. The huge windows faced the ocean. Being up high like this gave them a long view of the coast. And the ballroom itself was well appointed, with several chandeliers reflecting light off the bronzed, polished concrete floors. Apparently it had been a huge catchall room for years until Bella had decided to renovate it into a money-making events venue a few months ago.

  “We have a few options.” Ashley spun in the large, open room, and he found himself stepping closer to her for no logical reason. “We can hold the ceremony on the beach, in the courtyard, or in here, although this space is clearly better suited for a reception. It doesn’t feel as intimate as I’d think a ceremony should be.” She scrunched her nose as she assessed the space. “Then we could do the reception here or in the courtyard. Or any combination of those, really. What do you think Claire would want?”

  His muscles tensed at her mention of his fiancée. “I’m having trouble picturing how you’d set the courtyard up.”

  “Let’s go take a look. I’ll show you my vision.” She turned off the lights and led the way down the hallway. They passed a guest or two before reaching the upstairs lobby—which was really more of a large living room—then veered outside to the upper deck where several chairs allowed guests to take in the vista. A winding staircase led down to the courtyard, which was enclosed by a low stone wall and an arc of overhanging trees. Water trickled down a tiered stone fountain near the exit, a wrought iron gate that opened onto a path toward the beach. Flowers of various colors bloomed in all stages of life.

  “This is really nice.” He walked out onto the travertine pavers. “I can’t believe Ben isn’t making a fortune off of doing events at this place.”

  “He will. Bella’s a perfectionist and wants everything to be just right before they start.” Ashley followed him. “So you approve?”

  “Yeah, of course. Not that I have any choice. But even if I did, I think this would be perfect.”

  “Good. Ben and Bella are doing their ceremony on the beach and reception here in the courtyard. What do you want?”

  He considered all the options. “To be honest, I’d like to do the same, but I don’t think Claire will want to worry about sand in her shoes and the wind off the ocean blowing her hair during the ceremony.” The wind could be brutal at times, and it was unpredictable. But there was something strong and striking about the wild ways of nature. Still, he was making decisions for both of them, and Claire trusted him to take her desires into account. “So what are you thinking in terms of setup?”

  A breeze rustled Ashley’s hair across her cheeks while she studied the courtyard and walked to one end. “I think I’d do an arch here, then split rows of white chairs on either side, creating an aisle here. We can adorn the ends of the aisles with bows so everyone has to enter from the outside. And depending on how simple or done up you wanted to go, we could add some flower sprays around the arch.”

  He strode over. “So I’d stand about here?”

  “Yes. And Claire can enter the courtyard from that lower door.”

  Studying the open courtyard, he tried to picture it—how it would really be to watch Claire step down the aisle toward him.

  But his mind rebelled against him, imagining a smiling blonde instead of a solemn brunette heading down the path, dressed in white, holding a simple bouquet of flowers.

  Get it together, man. Derek pivoted and headed toward the fountain. He leaned over to trail his fingers through the pooled water at the bottom. The cold pricked his skin, a welcome relief to the burning sensation racing through his veins.

  “Derek? You okay?” Joining him at the fountain, Ashley sat on the edge. She pulled her fingers along the placid surface, and circles rippled out at her touch. Her long hair fell over her shoulder, nearly hitting the water. His fingers ached to feel the spun gold against his skin.

  Listen to him, waxing poetic. He should leave. Right now. Instead, Derek lowered himself next to her. “No, I’m not. This is hard, Ash. And I’m sick of it.”

  Now why had he gone and said that? But for once, he didn’t want to think. Just wanted to be near her, to feel the electricity rolling off of her, making him feel something he hadn’t in a very long time.

  Ashley pulled her hand back into her lap, wiping the water onto her jeans. “Sick of what?”

  “Pretending.”

  Her delicate throat bobbed and her lips parted slightly. “Pretending what?”

  The silence between them pulsed with something that begged for life. Derek scooted closer, until their thighs and upper arms touched. “That I don’t feel something I shouldn’t when I’m with you.”

  Eyes widening, Ashley studied his face in that perceptive way she had, as if she were looking deeper than the surface. And just like the water, her presence sent ripples through him, through his life, in a way he couldn’t deny.

  She pressed her lips together for a moment, then shook her head. “You never told me your proposal story.”

  The electricity between them fizzled like a bucket of water dumped on a fire. Why had she gone and brought that up?

  Because she was smarter than him, that was why.

  He blew out a breath and leaned forward, placing his elbows against his knees. “Uh, well, it wasn’t really your typical proposal.”

  She waited, not saying a word.

  Fine. She wanted the truth? “My sisters had told me I should come home soon. That Dad wasn’t doing so hot. Claire and I were talking and just sort of decided that getting married was what we wanted. There wasn’t anything really grand or special about it.” In actuality, Claire had been the one to suggest the idea, but he wasn’t going to go so far as to tell Ashley that. It still felt odd to him, since he’d been raised as a traditional sort of guy. “It wasn’t how I always pictured proposing, believe me.”

  “How did you always picture it?”

  Nearly missing her whispered words, he glanced at her. She picked at the cuticle of a fingernail so hard it had to have hurt. Before she could rip it to shreds, Derek enveloped her hand with his own.

  Ashley tensed but otherwise didn’t move, keeping her gaze fixed on the ground. From her petite nose to her pointed chin, the planes of her face were so familiar—so beautiful. She had these little crinkles at the corners of her eyes from smiling so much. And her lips …

  Derek wove their fingers to
gether and ground his back teeth together before speaking again. “I always wanted to propose at the vineyard, at that spot in the very center where the vines veer from different directions and leave an open circle.”

  She finally looked at him.

  “I thought I’d line the path from the house to the spot with those lights in bags—you know, the ones we had to sell in grade school as a fundraiser.”

  “Luminaries?”

  “Yeah, those. Of course, I’d use fake candles inside of them. Couldn’t chance actual fire in a vineyard.” Derek licked his lips as he stared into her blue eyes. “And I’d somehow tie this ribbon from one end of the vineyard to that spot in the middle. Along that ribbon, I’d attach little notes, each one featuring a memory about our relationship.”

  Ashley’s cheeks had two matching spots of red on either side. “That’s so sweet.”

  Lowering his voice, he leaned closer. “And when she got to the circle, I’d be waiting with a ring in a little velvet box. And it would be just the two of us. Us and the stars.”

  Just the two of them—him and Ashley.

  His brain screamed at him to stop, but his body didn’t listen. With his free hand, Derek ran his thumb from her high cheekbone across her face. He traced the contour of her ear and brought his face within inches of hers, inhaling her intoxicating scent.

  Ashley’s eyes dropped to half-mast, and she exhaled in such a sweet way that he was a goner.

  His whole body trembled as he moved in, adrenaline pumping in anticipation of this thing he had wanted for so very long. Finally, his lips hovered over hers.

  “Ashley?”

  Both of them jerked away at the voice echoing through the courtyard.

  She blinked rapidly. Her brain took a long few moments to register what her eyes were seeing.

  Bella.

  Bella was here, and she stood with her hands on her hips, head cocked to one side, eyes narrowed.

  Oh, goodness.

  Ashley stumbled to her feet.

  Derek stood too, steadying her, his touch scalding her arm. “You okay?”