by Jean Oram
“Someone’s going to see you!”
She was pretty sure that even in Hollywood people didn’t go picking up lawn ornaments, willy-nilly. Although that could explain why the big homes were gated.
“Come on, Finian!”
The window directly behind him opened and Finian, unfazed, chirped a hello.
A gray-haired woman poked her head out. “What are you doing with Alfred?”
“Alfred?”
“The gnome in your right hand, buster.” She leaned out farther and Hailey hid behind the tree again. Naturally, Mr. Everyone’s a Fan of Mine So I Can Do Anything I Want had to choose Mrs. Star’s house. This was going to get back to Hailey’s mother faster than the time she and Austin went egging houses.
“Put him right back beside Georgie, please. They’re brothers and don’t like to be parted.”
“Did you ever notice he looks like Santa?” Finian held the gnome up in the light cast from her house.
“Of course I did. Why do you think I bought him? Say, has anyone ever told you that you look like that Finian Alexander fellow you see in the movies?”
“Of course they have. Mostly because I am Finian Alexander.” He beamed his bright smile up at the window and the woman wobbled before catching herself on the frame.
“Well! I’ll say.” She turned to look into her house. Turned back. “I’m going to need to take a photo or else my sister Elsie over in Blueberry Springs won’t believe me. Don’t move a muscle.”
Finian flashed Hailey a smile and she shook her head, wishing she could move back onto the sidewalk where the dew wouldn’t chill her exposed toes.
“I hope you don’t mind that I came onto your lawn,” Finian said when Mrs. Star returned, camera in hand.
“Of course not,” she purred, aiming the device. A bright flash went off and Hailey winced. Mrs. Star’s photo was going to be awful. Finian was going to have major red-eye and be completely bleached out.
He posed with the gnome again.
My word, the woman was blinding him with that flash. Hailey took a step forward, her heavy camera bag slung over her shoulder.
“Who’s there?” Mrs. Star called out.
“Just me, Mrs. Star.” Hailey stepped closer. “Hailey Summer.”
“Hailey? Are you hanging out with Finian Alexander?”
“I’m afraid I am.”
“What on earth are you doing with the likes of this young man?” She reached out to pat Finian on the shoulder. “No offense, but you don’t have the best reputation, and Hailey Summer, she’s a good girl. I’ve known her mother most of my life.”
“None taken.”
Mrs. Star patted Finian’s cheek. “How you got such a bad reputation, I’ll never know. Although you did waltz right into my yard like you owned it. You stick close to Hailey. She’ll set you up all nice again.”
“I’ll do my best, ma’am.”
Mrs. Star turned back to Hailey. “I bet Elsie five bucks it wasn’t you on that celebrity show. I told her you’d know better than to kiss a man like Finian Alexander--not that you couldn’t get him. You are a lovely young thing, and look at you, all dolled up. But I thought you had more sense in that head of yours than to get tangled up in this Hollywood disaster.”
“Mrs. Star, would you like me to take a photo of you with Finian?”
“Oh, yes, please!” The woman patted her hair and leaned out.
Hailey took out her camera and snapped a few shots, laughing when Mrs. Star pretended to kiss a shocked-looking Finian, who was hamming it up, making the woman glow.
“You are just too special,” Mrs. Star finally said, giving Finian a big kiss on the cheek. “Isn’t he special, Hailey?”
She nodded, not daring to speak over the sentimental lump that had formed in her throat. If only…if only he would stay, so she could explore just how special he was.
“Now, if Hailey doesn’t mind,” said Mrs. Star to Finian, “let’s get one of you without your shirt.”
Hailey turned off her car and leaned back in her seat. Tonight had been amazing. Even though she was parked outside Finian’s cottage so they could part ways, she still didn’t want the night to be over. Not yet.
Without breaking the silence, Finian drew an arm around her shoulder, pulling her to him, his lips finding hers in the darkness. Her hand stroked his cheek as his tongue delved into her mouth. She moaned in contentment and wished she could press her body against his warmth.
“You’re cold,” he said, tipping his head so his forehead rested against hers.
She was trembling, but it was from something other than the cool night air seeping into her car. Something much stronger.
He broke their embrace and was out of the car, opening her door within seconds. “Come.”
She hesitated.
“Trust me, Hails.”
She placed her hand in his, meeting his eye. “I trust you.”
“Good.” He led her into his cottage, where he started a blaze in the fireplace with an ease that surprised her.
“Where’d you learn that?”
“In Desperate Cowboy.”
“Oh, right.” For some reason she’d never thought of him actually having to possess the skills he displayed in his movies.
Finian disappeared, then returned with an afghan in yellows and browns, sporting sunflowers like pretty much everything else in the cottage. He wrapped it around her shoulders with care, tugging her close enough to kiss. Then he was gone again.
Hailey watched the fire crackle, wondering what she was in for. Well, she knew what she was hoping she was in for. She was in his cottage at two in the morning after a night of…well, she didn’t even know what to call their night. Perfect. It had been perfect. And she was here now because she wanted more. A lot more. She wanted everything he was willing to give.
The overhead lights flicked off and Finian slipped onto the couch beside her, supporting her as he offered a glass of wine.
She toasted him in the firelight. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome.”
They held each other’s gaze over the rim of their glasses and Hailey leaned into his strength.
“Did you have a nice night?” he asked.
“I did.” A smile crept onto her face and she snuggled closer, wishing she could run her hands all over him, explore him, get to know him intimately. She wanted to know absolutely everything about him.
She placed her glass on the side table and then took his, placing it beside hers.
“You don’t like it?” he asked.
Wordlessly, she held the blanket around her shoulders, standing so she could shift onto his lap, straddling him. Instead of being embarrassed by how much she wanted him, she slid farther onto his lap. His eyes darkened as he grabbed her hips, pausing as if double-checking to see if she was making the moves he thought she was. She pressed her chest against his, their eyes not breaking contact. With a quick pivot he had her on her back, his body pinned above hers. She wrapped her legs around him, drawing him tight against her and she grabbed his shirt, tugging his chest down to meet hers.
“What do you need, Hailey?”
“I need you.” She lifted herself so she could reach his lips, diving into him, showing him how much she yearned to feel every bit of him from his body to his passion and desire. “All of you.”
Finn sat on the edge of his bed in the Sunflower Cottage and glanced at the sleeping form behind him. He quickly looked back at the wall so he wouldn’t crawl back into bed.
What had he done? This kind of partnership wasn’t going to do a thing for either of them, especially with him destined to head back home in less than a week.
Hailey would never expose his dark underside now. Not unless he did something evil like betray her trust. And he couldn’t do that. Not to his Hails.
She was too good. Too real. Too honest. Too everything he didn’t need in a paparazzo. But everything he needed in a girlfriend. Sighing, he slipped back under the covers, tucking his arms around her, drawi
ng her close. She felt good. Warm. Friendly.
He needed a girlfriend like her. Always had.
He whispered a thank-you into the air in case the God his mother believed in was real, and with care and attention, began kissing his way up Hailey’s exposed arm, liking the way he could make her lips curve into a gentle smile.
She was no longer trying to run away. She was his. Here in bed. With him.
Forever.
There was a loud bang on the front door as Hailey rolled over, pulling him down into a full-mouthed kiss that had him primed and ready to yell, “Action!”
She ignored the door, pressing her body against him. He did likewise, spreading himself over top of her as he kissed her with leisure.
“Finian!” called a woman’s voice.
His head popped up as Hailey froze under him.
“It’s my mother.” He rolled off Hailey and rubbed a hand down his face. “I think I was supposed to pick her up from the airport.”
“Finian?” called his father.
“They’re both here.” He popped out of bed, yanking on a pair of jeans.
His mother banged on the door again and Hailey scrambled into action, falling off her side of the bed, her bare butt exposed. Finn reached across the bed to give it a light slap, and she squealed and ducked out of reach, tucking the fallen sheet around her torso.
“You’re so bad,” she giggled, her hair tumbling across her forehead.
He shot her a wolfish grin, brushing the curls off her face. “That’s what I keep telling you.”
Finn settled his parents at the small table on the deck that overlooked the calm lake, where the eerie loons were calling to one another. He placed a mug of coffee from the small one-cupper in front of his mother, and set up the machine to make one for himself.
“Sure you don’t want a coffee, Dad?”
“I’m fine, thanks. There was free coffee on the plane. I had my fill for the day, plus some.”
Finn glanced at the French doors that led into the cottage. Where was Hailey? Had she slipped out the back? Or would she hide out until his parents left? Maybe come in here with bed head, and dressed in her killer sexy dress as if everything was normal? Or would she slam through the front door as though she’d just arrived? Maybe he should have taken his parents for a walk so she could escape.
“What in heaven’s name are those?” His mother leaned over the railing, gawking at the lake. “They are strangely gorgeous.”
Finn lined up his sight with hers. “Loons.”
“They sound atrocious, but I like it. Chilling and haunting.” She hugged her arms around herself for effect and sat at the table again.
“Hailey said they’re the bird you see on the one-dollar coin.”
“Such colorful money,” his mother replied, tucking her blond bob behind her ears.
“Monopoly money,” added his father.
“It makes a lovely rainbow. And who’s Hailey? Is she the girl you were telling me about on the phone?”
“Yeah.”
“Can we meet her?”
“Um, maybe.” He glanced toward the doorway.
“I’m so glad you invited us. We set Rex up with the neighbor and were off. You were so right. We needed a vacation. With your father’s health--”
“I’m fine, dear, quit worrying,” his dad said, leaning back to tuck in his plaid shirt. “Finian, I tried negotiating a better deal for you with the cottage manager.”
“Thanks. But it’s okay, Dad. I can afford it.”
“With all those charity events you have planned in the fall? And your donations? That’s a lot of money you’ve promised, son. People are counting on you.”
“I know.” Finn tried to ignore the way his chest tightened, and instead focused his attention on the doorway.
Last night he’d seen Hailey’s phone light up in the night, and had checked the screen in case it was something worth waking her over. Turned out it was a series of texts from various people, all stating they’d spotted him. Him. Finian Alexander. She had been tracking him and following him. In order to get him into bed? He didn’t think so. But was she paparazzo? If so, she sucked at it, plain and simple. Which left stalker fan. But that didn’t fit, either.
So who was she? What did she want?
He was missing a piece. And it wasn’t just the piece of his heart she seemed to have stolen in the night.
“I tried getting them to switch the booking to my name so I could get you a senior’s rate,” his father continued.
“You’re not old enough.”
His father flipped an ID card in his direction.
Finn spit out his coffee and laughed. “You’re kidding me, right?”
His mother sighed and threw up her hands. “I told him he’d gone too far, but he couldn’t resist. He likes the way people give him a second glance and ask to see his driver’s license.”
“What? It’s a nice feeling. It’s like being carded at the bar.”
His mother blew on her cup of coffee, and as her eyes lifted, Finn felt the earth shift ever so slightly. Hailey.
“Hello. I’m Hailey Summer.”
Hailey slipped past him, reaching out to shake his mother’s hand. She was a vision in her red dress and wild hair--which looked as though she’d brushed it, then dampened it, causing major havoc. He grinned up at her and lightly touched her waist, loving the way the fabric felt over her curves.
His mother looked slightly in awe and stood up in front of Hailey, one hand over her chest.
“I know she’s pretty, Mom, but you’re staring.” Finn pulled Hailey close and kissed the side of her head, inhaling her scent.
His mother blinked and gave herself a little shake. “I’m so sorry, it’s just that I’m such a fan of your work.”
“Uh, what?” Finn asked, his grip loosening.
“A fan?” Hailey echoed.
“Yes! The way you make wildlife come alive is simply incredible.” Finn’s mother tugged on his arm. “Have you seen her work?”
“Um, yes.” He pushed a hand through his hair and met Hailey’s eyes. “She took some photos of me yesterday. She, uh, revealed a side of me nobody else has.”
Hailey was changing his life just by being in it. He pulled her close again, not wanting her to be farther than a breath away.
“Consider yourself very lucky, Finian.” His mother gave him a look mixed with awe and wonder. “You don’t realize what you have.”
Finn rested a hand on Hailey’s lower back, guiding her to a chair. “I think I do.”
“No, this woman has won some impressive awards and doesn’t do portraits any longer. How you managed to snag her…” His mom blinked, taking in Hailey’s wardrobe. Her attention flicked to Finn and back. She gave a small smile.
“Hailey, this is my mother, Daisy Alexander. Apparently one of your biggest fans. Don’t give her your phone number or she’ll call you with career advice every day.”
His mother gave him a playful smack. “Oh, Finn.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Alexander.”
His father gave Hailey an eager handshake. “I’m Bob, by the way. So, I’m guessing you’re the girl who’s been slapping some sense into our son.”
Finn cringed as Hailey shot him a look, her face matching the hue of her dress. “Dad…”
“I can tell by that grin of Finn’s that he’d do just about anything for you.” Bob lowered his voice as though Finn wouldn’t be able to hear. “Maybe we could borrow your influence to work through a laundry list of grievances his mother has. Namely, his image.”
“Dad…”
Hailey was angling in her chair as though she was going to bolt. His parents were worse than the paparazzi that would undoubtedly start hounding them once word got out that he had a new crush.
All he wanted was a moment with her to solidify what they were before his real life interfered.
“Hailey and I have a few things to do today--”
“So? Will you work
with him?” his mother asked Hailey.
“I’ve asked her to work on my image already, Mom, Dad.”
“I don’t think I’m the right woman for that job,” Hailey said quickly.
“Good money in that, I suspect,” his father countered.
Finn sighed. Ever since he’d started making enough to pull his family out of debt and out of that gang-infested community he’d grown up in, plus get his dad some proper health care, all his father had been focused on was money, money, money.
For Finn it had been money and fame. And with his focus on that, all the seven deadly sins had begun to line up, one behind the other. But that was it, wasn’t it? Own a sin or two or be a nobody who never did anything or went anywhere. Be voted most likely to sit around with a thumb up his butt. Or in his case, voted most likely to become a starving artist.
Anyone could change their destiny. The process just might not look pretty.
“Can we see the photos you took yesterday?” Daisy asked.
“I don’t have them with me,” Hailey said.
“I have the ones you shared through online storage.” Finn ran to grab his tablet from the bedroom, flicking it on. He hurried back to the deck, worried he’d offered his parents a chance to give Hailey the third degree. Instead, she was sipping his coffee, sitting beside his mother, getting the scoop on his childhood temperament. If it had been anyone else, he would have felt exposed.
“Finian’s always liked turtles,” his mother said, reaching for the tablet. “But I didn’t predict this environmentalist side.”
“What environmentalist side?” he asked.
His father shot Hailey an appreciative smile. “You’re a good influence, my dear. You really should work with him.”
“Oh, Bob. They don’t want to mix business with pleasure,” his mother said with a sly smile.
“So? The turtles?” Finn asked.
“The tabloids are all over the whole turtle thing, Finian,” Daisy said. “That article with you down by the water has gone viral.”
“The article?”
“It was all about you saving the turtles. It started in the local paper here.”
“My sister is going to love you,” Hailey said, reaching over to give him a slight hug.
