Gaining Miles: A Miles Family Novella (The Miles Family Book 5)

by Claire Kingsley

  “Shannon, I’m so sorry, I—”

  “No,” I said, putting up a hand to stop her. “Don’t. It’s not your fault.”

  She nodded.

  I grabbed the bottle and refilled both our glasses. “Now that you’re dating, does it make you nervous? The idea of having sex again?”

  “A little,” she said. “But it’s exciting, too. Being with Jack reminds me that I’m more than a mother. I’m still a woman. I want to explore that.”

  “Good for you.”

  “You know, after Elijah, I felt a bit like you do now. Like that part of my life was over. How would I meet someone? And if I did, would they want to date a single mother? I figured a relationship wasn’t in the cards for me. But the moment Jack asked me to dinner, I realized my life wasn’t over.”

  I was happy for Naomi. Happy that she was moving forward with her life. She was younger than me. She still had plenty of time to create her version of forever.

  My situation was different. My life was different. And it was fine.

  So why did I feel a hint of jealousy?

  “Oh, hi ladies,” Zoe said from the doorway. Her dark hair was down and the tiny stud in her nose sparkled. “Sorry to interrupt. I was upstairs catching up on a few things and I heard voices.”

  “Hi, Zoe,” Naomi said. “Care to have a glass of wine with us?”

  “Gladly,” Zoe said.

  I motioned for us to move to a table. While they took their seats, I got another glass and poured, then sat at the table with them.

  “Thank you.” Zoe lifted her glass. “What should we toast to?”

  “To being passionate, sensual women,” Naomi said, smiling at me.

  “I can definitely toast to that,” Zoe said, and we all clinked our glasses. “Is there something you need to share with the class, Shannon?”

  “No, but Naomi recently started dating someone.”

  “Congratulations,” Zoe said, raising her glass again. “You certainly deserve a good man.”

  “Thank you,” Naomi said with a smile. “I agree.”

  Zoe tilted her head and looked at me, blinking a few times.

  “What?” I asked.

  “I’m just wondering when you’re going to wake up and realize that you deserve a good man, too.”

  “Zoe Miles, we’ve had this conversation,” I said. “You know how I feel about it.”

  “But how do you feel about him?”

  “Him?” Naomi asked, her eyebrows lifting. “Him, who?”

  Zoe pursed her lips and blinked at me again.

  “We’re good friends,” I said. “That’s all.”

  “Mm-hmm,” Zoe said.

  “Oh, I know who you’re talking about,” Naomi said, lowering her voice. “Shannon, you didn’t tell me you had a thing for Ben.”

  “What makes you think I do?”

  Zoe snorted.

  “Why wouldn’t you?” Naomi asked. “He’s handsome and sweet. And he obviously likes you.”

  “As I said, he’s a good friend.”

  Zoe put her hand over mine. “Shannon, you’re a very smart woman, but you’ve been out of the game too long. That man does not like you as a friend.”

  Feeling suddenly flustered—why was my heart beating so hard?—I took a drink so I wouldn’t have to reply. What could I say to that? Ben was a friend, and it was silly of me to hope for more.

  Was that what this feeling was? This fluttering in my stomach and warmth in my cheeks? Was this hope?

  “You’re blushing and don’t blame the wine,” Zoe said. “Come on, Shannon. You know you want that big rugged man between your legs.”

  “Zoe!”

  She laughed. “What? Don’t give me that I’m too old line. You’re not. If I have to give up sex when I’m fifty-seven, I’m going to be pissed.”

  “I realize I’m not too old to sleep with someone. Everything still works. But it’s more complicated than that.”

  “It doesn’t have to be,” Zoe said.

  “You could start slow,” Naomi said. “Besides, there’s a lot we missed out on when we were younger.”

  “Like what?” I asked.

  “Sexting,” Naomi said.

  Zoe nodded. “Oh, yeah.”

  “Sexting?”

  “Yeah, sexting is when you and—”

  “I know,” I said, putting a hand up to stop Zoe from giving me the definition. “I’m aware of what sexting is.”

  “But you’ve never done it,” Naomi said. “Sexy texts can be really fun.”

  I wasn’t about to admit it to these two, but I did feel like I’d missed out on a few things. Sexy texts did sound fun.

  “I know what you need,” Zoe said.

  I eyed her for a second. “I’m afraid to even ask.”

  Naomi sipped her wine, looking amused.

  “A spa day,” Zoe said.

  “You think I need a spa day?”

  She nodded. “Some skin treatments, maybe a massage. A wax. Things to make you feel pretty and ready to get naked.”

  “A wax?” I asked. “Do I really need a wax to get naked with someone?”

  Naomi shrugged. “I started waxing. It’s very nice.”

  “I’m not cut out for this.”

  “Relax,” Zoe said. “You don’t have to get a wax to get naked with Ben. He’ll be into you no matter what. Besides, if I had to guess, I’d bet he’s a fan of the natural look. Just trim it up a little and you’ll be fine. Viva la bush.”

  “I can’t believe I’m having this conversation with you.”

  Zoe grinned.

  “And I’m not getting naked with anyone,” I said. “Especially Benjamin.”

  “See, right there,” Zoe said, pointing at me with her wine. “You always call him by his full name. You’re the only one who does. You realize that, don’t you?”

  “The first time we met, he introduced himself as Benjamin,” I said. “So yes, I’ve always called him that. What’s your point?”

  “That there’s something between you two,” Zoe said. “And it’s okay if you stop denying it.”

  I wanted to tell her that I wasn’t denying anything. But that would have been a lie. I’d been denying my feelings for Ben for a long time.

  “I wouldn’t know where to begin,” I said, my voice soft. “It’s literally been decades since I dated. I feel like I’ve lived a lifetime since then and everything is different. I’m different. I’m older, I’ve had four children, been through a horrible divorce. Those things left their mark.”

  “All right, I’ll stop pushing,” Zoe said. “But if you want to take me up on that spa day, just let me know.”

  “Thanks.”

  Zoe took another drink, smiling at me from behind her glass. Naomi had a similar look in her eyes. They were being absurd. Ben wasn’t interested in dating me, so I certainly didn’t need to be concerned about things like waxing.

  Did I?

  Six

  Ben

  Voices caught my attention. I’d come into the Big House through the kitchen to put some things away in one of the storerooms. Was someone in the tasting room? The winery was closed, but it sounded like it might be Shannon and Zoe.

  I hadn’t seen Shannon all day—not since this morning when my attempt to ask her to dinner had gone sideways. If she was on her way out, now might be a good time to try again. I glanced down at my clothes to make sure they were sufficiently clean—they were—and took a deep breath.

  Laughter spilled out from the tasting room. It sounded like more than just Shannon and Zoe. Naomi Harris, if I wasn’t mistaken. That made me smile. Who other than Shannon Miles would find friendship as a result of her ex-husband’s infidelity?

  But if Naomi was here, Shannon was probably going to stay and visit with her for a while. Now wasn’t the time. I’d go home and see her tomorr—

  “And I’m not getting naked with anyone,” Shannon said. “Especially Benjamin.”

  I stopped in my tracks. What had she just said
?

  “See, right there.” That was Zoe. “You always call him by his first name. You’re the only one who does that. You realize that, don’t you?”

  It was true. She did. I loved hearing her call me Benjamin. Always had.

  “The first time we met, he introduced himself as Benjamin,” Shannon said. Also true; I remembered it well. “So yes, I’ve always called him that. What’s your point?”

  “That there’s something between you two,” Zoe said. “And it’s okay if you stop denying it.”

  I held my breath, knowing I wasn’t meant to hear this conversation. And yet, unable to walk away.

  “I wouldn’t know where to begin.” Shannon’s voice had quieted. “It’s literally been decades since I dated. I feel like I’ve lived a lifetime since then and everything is different. I’m different. I’m older, I’ve had four children, been through a horrible divorce. Those things left their mark.”

  “All right, I’ll stop pushing,” Zoe said. “But if you want to take me up on that spa day, just let me know.”

  “Thanks.”

  I closed my eyes, putting a hand on my chest. Oh, Shannon. The pain in her voice gutted me. Was that really what she thought? That the possibility of love didn’t exist for her anymore?

  Moving quietly, I left through the kitchen so she wouldn’t know I’d been there. I felt bad for listening—I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but she’d said the words naked and Benjamin in close proximity. Who could blame me?

  This wasn’t going to be as simple as I’d thought. When I’d imagined asking her to dinner, I’d never considered the possibility that she’d say no. And what had she meant when she’d said she wasn’t getting naked with anyone, especially Benjamin?

  Maybe I’d been reading her wrong. Did she see me as a good friend, and nothing more? Or was Zoe right, and Shannon was denying what had been quietly forming between us?

  I didn’t know.

  So I went on home, unsure as to how I should handle this. For a second, I wondered if I ought to take Cooper and Chase up on their offer to help. But I dismissed that idea quickly. No, those boys would mean well, but they’d only wind up getting me in trouble somehow.

  Back at home, I stood looking out my front window. At the view of Salishan’s vineyards. The winery. Shannon’s house. I could see it all from here.

  The view was why I’d bought the place, years ago.

  I wasn’t sure what I was going to do about Shannon. I’d been patient for a long time. If I needed to, I could wait a bit longer. But suddenly my simple plan seemed short-sighted. If she wasn’t sure about dating—and there was that comment about not getting naked with me that I really needed to figure out—maybe I should take a different approach.

  But I didn’t know what.

  The next morning, I wasn’t any closer to figuring out my next move. I went to work and spent my first couple of hours avoiding Cooper. I didn’t want him asking awkward questions. And there was no doubt he would.

  What I needed was another perspective. Someone who could give me a little insight. But who?

  I wasn’t about to talk to her kids. How can I coax your mother into dating me, and by the way, do you think she meant what she said about not wanting to get naked with me was not something I could ask any of them. Even Cooper.

  Especially Cooper.

  If I knew Naomi better, I might be able to talk to her. We’d met a few times. But I didn’t know her well enough to ask about Shannon. Not like this.

  Which left just one person—someone I knew I could trust to both be discreet and tell me the truth.

  Zoe.

  Their mother and daughter-in-law dynamic was just outside the realm of mother-child—enough that I figured I could ask Zoe for a little advice without it being too awkward. And Zoe was straightforward—something I’d always appreciated about her. She wouldn’t bullshit me, and she knew Shannon as well as—or better than—anyone around here.

  I found her in the event room in the Big House, directing employees who were setting up for a wedding. I made eye contact and nodded, then waited with my hands in my pockets while she finished up.

  She flipped through a few pages on a clipboard, then walked over to me. “Hey, Ben. What’s up?”

  “Do you have a minute?”

  “Sure.”

  I hesitated while she looked at me expectantly. The employees buzzed around the room, stringing up lights and moving chairs. “Can we go outside? It’s personal.”

  “Yeah, of course.”

  We went out through the kitchen into the early spring air. It smelled like honeysuckle and pine.

  I rubbed my beard and cleared my throat. “I need some advice.”

  Her eyebrows twitched upward. “About what?”

  “Shannon.”

  She held the clipboard against her chest and smiled. “Okay.”

  I figured the best thing to do was be honest. “I overheard a few things last night when you were talking in the tasting room. I didn’t mean to, and it wasn’t much, but…”

  “Oh, shit.”

  “I know.”

  “What did you hear, exactly?” she asked.

  “Mostly just the part about how long it’s been since she’s dated, and how everything is different now.”

  “And?” she asked, raising her eyebrows again.

  “And something about not getting naked with anyone, especially me.” I put a hand up. “But we don’t need to talk about the naked part.”

  She laughed. “Fair enough. But for the record, she didn’t mean it.”

  I paused for a beat, my mouth half open. “You don’t think so?”

  “Definitely not,” she said. “Since we’re not talking about it, I won’t tell you that she’s totally lying to herself and she absolutely wants to get naked with you.”

  I cleared my throat again. “Anyway. I’ve been thinking I’d like to ask her out.”

  “Oh my god, finally,” she said. “What the hell’s taken you so long?”

  “Oh, I don’t know, the fact that up until recently, she was legally married?”

  Zoe waved her hand. “Whatever. It’s probably best that you haven’t made a move yet anyway.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, you heard her. She’s really nervous about the idea of dating again. I think she’s actually convinced herself that she can’t. That living in that big house by herself, making wine, and doting on her grandkids is her life now.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of. Yesterday I thought I’d just get her alone for a few minutes and ask her to dinner. What could be simpler than that? But now I’m not so sure. I’ve waited a long time for this. I’d like to go into it with a little more confidence that the answer’s going to be yes.”

  Zoe tapped her fingers on the back of her other arm. “Ordinarily, I’d say you’re being too cautious, and you should just go for it. But in this case, I think Shannon might need a little more coaxing. Get her used to the idea that you’re pursuing her before you ask her for an actual date.”

  “All right,” I said. “I can do that.”

  “Just don’t wait too long,” she said. “Not just for her sake—for yours too. You have the patience of a saint, Ben. I honestly don’t know how you’ve done it.”

  I smiled. “The right woman is worth the wait.”

  “That,” she said, gesturing at me. “Whatever that was just now? Use that. It’ll be irresistible.”

  “So, ease her into it?” I asked.

  “Yes. Just a nudge. Think of it like… dating foreplay. She’s been watching from the sidelines for a really long time.”

  “That she has. Thanks, Zoe.”

  “Anytime,” she said.

  I walked away, pondering what Zoe had said, and what I’d heard Shannon say last night. I understood the real meaning behind Shannon’s words. She didn’t see herself as desirable anymore, and she questioned whether someone would want her after everything she’d been through.

  Shannon. Beautiful Shanno
n. You can’t imagine how much I want you.

  Zoe was right, Shannon needed a little coaxing. Especially because dating her wasn’t my endgame. I wanted much more than that. I’d loved this woman from afar for a long time. A date with her was only the beginning—the beginning of forever, if I had anything to say about it.

  I was a patient man and I was going to coax Shannon Miles right into my arms.

  Seven

  Shannon

  Someone had delivered flowers to the wrong office.

  The bouquet sitting on my desk was beautiful—a mix of red roses, lilies, pink dianthus, and heather. And the scent was lovely, the floral aroma filling the air. But there was no card, so I didn’t know who it belonged to.

  I went downstairs and found Lindsey in the lobby. “Did you talk to the floral delivery person?”

  Her eyebrows drew together. “No. I didn’t see anyone.”

  “Someone delivered flowers, but they put them in my office by mistake,” I said. “I’m assuming they’re for Jamie or Zoe.”

  “I’m not sure,” she said.

  “That’s okay. I’ll ask Roland if he sent them. Actually, I’ll congratulate him if he did. They’re gorgeous, and what a sweet thing to do.”

  I went back upstairs. Roland wasn’t in the office yet, so I sent him a text.

  Me: Did you send Zoe flowers?

  Roland: No, why?

  That was odd.

  Me: There are flowers on my desk but no card. The delivery person put them in the wrong place. I thought they might be for Zoe.

  Roland: It wasn’t me. But why do you think they’re in the wrong place?

  Me: They’re not for me.

  Roland: How do you know?

  Me: Who would send me flowers?

  Roland: I don’t know, but if they’re on your desk…

  Me: I’ll see if I can find the card.

  My office smelled wonderful. It was too bad I couldn’t keep them. I wondered if this meant Jamie was seeing someone. She was our other events person, and as far as I knew, she was single. But perhaps she’d started dating someone. Whoever he was, he knew how to pick a lovely flower arrangement.

  I checked around the vase again, but didn’t see a card. It wasn’t tucked in among the blooms either.