Hometown Series Box Set

by Kirsten Fullmer

  Elliot grimaced.

  “I always knew I had to toe the line or things would get ugly, but—”

  He waited for her to continue, but the lump in her throat was choking her. “But?” he offered.

  She sniffed and shrugged one shoulder. “Today was the straw that broke the camel’s back, I guess. She’s never going to be proud of me. Never.”

  Unsure what to say, he stammered, “I’m sorry. You’ve done a great job with the spa…”

  Suddenly embarrassed and overwhelmed that she’d fallen to pieces in front of Elliot, Lizzie struggled to collect herself. “Anyway, I’m okay now, really.” She stood, desperate to end the whole emotional scene.

  Elliot stood too, putting them face to face. Or her face to his chest, as it were. A moment slipped by without either moving, both held by an invisible magnetic force. Slowly, Lizzie’s head tilted back, and Elliot’s chin lowered. Their eyes met, his sizzling with concern and warmth, hers still teary and bright. His fingers skimmed softly up her arm, raising goosebumps that raced up Lizzie’s chest and neck and across her scalp. The backs of his fingers continued on up to brush her cheek, wiping away a shimmering tear trail. Then, ever so slowly, both of his palms framed her cheeks, tilting her face to his.

  Lizzie’s hands came up to cover his, her eyes drifting closed as she rose up on tiptoe. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she fell into what she knew would be an epic kiss.

  The spa door flew open and Tara clattered in, her arms full of boxes. “Hey guys, I was-” When she saw Lizzie and Elliot, she jerked to a halt, nearly dropping the packages in shock.

  Elliot and Lizzie jumped in shock, each trying to jolt back but tripping over the sofa and ottoman. Finally, Elliot managed to stumble away, resembling a kid staggering on stilts as he found his balance. Lizzie flopped limply onto the sofa, and her eyes rolled toward the ceiling.

  Tara cleared her throat. “Well, crap. Sorry… I…”

  Lizzie shook her head, lamenting the great impression she must be making on her new boss.

  Elliot lurched into action. “Let me help you with those.” Taking a few steps in Tara’s direction, he reached for the packages, plucking several off the pile. “What are these?”

  Still feeling awkward, Tara replied, “Product samples. I was going to say I’d put them in the other room, but I can come back later.” She transferred the last few packages onto the front desk.

  Elliot glanced toward Lizzie hopefully, but she jumped up from the sofa and joined them at the desk. Lifting a package to check the return address, she shook her head. “No, you’re fine, I was just getting ready to leave.” She put the package down and gathered her purse and computer bag.

  “I’ll just put these in the back room then,” Tara said, pointing toward the hall, almost desperate to make an escape.

  “I’ll walk you out,” Elliot offered, shoving the packages onto the counter and following Lizzie toward the door. Once they were on the porch and the door closed behind them, he grabbed Lizzie’s arm to stop her. “Hey, that was— I’m sorry. Not about you and me but—but about Tara.”

  She paused at the edge of the porch. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “I’m not worried,” he chuckled. “More like––disappointed and curious.”

  Not expecting him to say such a thing, she glanced up to meet his eye. His gaze held a twinkle she couldn’t deny, making her knees go soft. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. “This is all wrong. I need to go.” She turned to leave but he caught her arm again.

  “What do you mean wrong? Don’t leave like this. Talk to me for a minute,” he nearly begged, tugging on her arm. “What’s going to happen with your mom? I’d really like to know that you’re okay.”

  She eyed him suspiciously. “Why?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess since I’ve slept over at your place, bathed in your tub, worn your clothes, and stepped in your animal crap, I feel invested.”

  She couldn’t help but chuckle.

  A loud crash rang out from the barn across the yard. They both grimaced and hunched their shoulders.

  “Sounds like the kids are back at it.” Lizzie said.

  “Let’s go check it out, shall we? Make sure no one died?”

  Concern for the kids outweighed Lizzie’s stress, so she agreed. “Just let me put this stuff in the car.”

  * * *

  As they headed across the yard, Elliot tried not to be taken in by her perfume. Striding along beside her, he wondered vaguely how she managed to capture all those wild curls into a bun, and what her mother had done that had upset her so much. The fact that she’d spent her summers with her grandfather came to mind, and he wondered if that played into the issues at hand.

  He glanced down at her. “What does your dad think of all this?’

  Lizzie scoffed. “Him? He couldn’t care less.”

  “I’m sorry.” he said, realizing he’d probably put his foot square in his mouth again.

  “It’s all right,” she assured him. “At least he stays off my back. What about your dad, does he drive you crazy?”

  The question made Elliot think. “Not really,” he finally said. “He can be a stickler, but he’s never been— cruel. I guess maybe we’re alike so we get along.”

  “Must be nice.”

  Once they rounded the corner of the barn, their attention was immediately drawn to the scene below, where a set on the stage had fallen over. Justin was helping a group of students stand it up and brace it while Mr. Chatterton danced around the stage waving his hands and issuing directions. The situation appeared to be under control, so Elliot motioned for Lizzie to sit next to him on the top bleacher. The sun was setting and the seats were in a deep shadow, allowing the couple to watch without being seen in return, unless someone looked up and squinted through the stage lights.

  Lizzie accepted his offer and sat next to him, not too close, but near enough to feel the electric energy flowing between them, if her goosebumps were any indication.

  Elliot leaned back on his elbow and stretched his legs out in front of him.

  After her hectic day at the spa, Lizzie savored the time to sit in silence and focus on the play practice.

  Elliot took the opportunity to watch as emotions flickered across her face. She would appear very intent, and then a smile would play at the corner of her gypsy mouth. She’d chuckle silently, and then her attention would be drawn to another part of the stage and her brow would lower as she anticipated what would happen. At one point he was surprised to see her mouthing the lines of the play along with a student. She must be very familiar with the production. He relished the unending surprises that were Lizzie.

  She glanced in his direction, then did a double take. “What?” she whispered defensively.

  He shrugged.

  She turned back to the play practice, checking from the corner of her eye to see if he were still watching, which he was.

  Squirming on the steel bleacher, she pulled a face. “Why are you staring at me?”

  “You’re interesting,” he whispered back.

  She turned slightly away from him. “Well, stop it, you’re giving me the creeps,” she hissed.

  “Yes ma’am,” he replied under his breath, turning toward the stage but still sneaking glimpses at her. Finally, he couldn’t hold back his curiosity any longer. He cupped his hand over his mouth to obstruct his voice. “How do you know all those lines?”

  Lizzie grimaced. “Was I talking along or something?”

  He nodded.

  She grinned sheepishly. “I was in a production of Annie as a kid,” she whispered.

  He nodded. “Interesting. How old were you?”

  Lizzie scowled off to some point over his left shoulder. “I was about ten I guess. My mother insisted, and I didn’t want to at first, but…”

  He rolled his hand in the air, indicating for her to continue.

  She frowned.

  For a long moment they held the other’s gaze, the t
ension between them palpable.

  She swallowed hard, and her pupils dilated. “How long are you staying here?” she finally blurted, then covered her mouth and glanced toward the stage, worried that they’d heard her. Evidently, the commotion on stage had covered her question because no one looked up.

  Elliot’s lip tilted up in a grin. “Trying to get rid of me?” he whispered.

  Frustrated, Lizzie stared toward the stage. A blush slowly crept up her neck and onto her cheeks. She bolted to stand, surprising Elliot.

  He grabbed her hand. “Don’t go…”

  She motioned for him to follow her and he stood and stretched, his thoughts spinning. Since the moment he’d met Lizzie, they’d been getting closer -- first a smile, then a touch, a laugh. But back in the spa, everything had jumped to another level altogether, and he could almost taste the lips he’d so nearly kissed. He smiled to himself, knowing he would not back away, then climbed over the bleacher seat to join her in the shadowy barn.

  In the dim light, he could see the closed window and the eatery and the chairs upside down on the tables. A pink sunbeam pierced the dim interior through a window far overhead, where dust motes danced in like pixies.

  He strolled up to stand a bit too close to Lizzie, invading her personal space, and she kinked her neck to look up at him. He grinned wickedly and her face paled, as if she wanted to bolt.

  “Do you want me to leave, is that why you asked how long I’m staying?” he asked, his voice low.

  Her eyes glued to his, she cleared her throat and tried to step back, but her hips were against a table. “No. Yes…” she stuttered, her voice a hoarse whisper.

  He took both her hands in his. Gently, he laced his fingers through hers and took a step closer. He knew he was making her uncomfortable, but now that he was sure she was drawn to him, he couldn’t seem to help himself. “I’m planning to stay a few days longer...” His eyes danced across her face, then lingered on her lips. “I haven’t taken a vacation in years, and Justin and I are cooking up some deals.”

  Lizzie licked her lips, causing the corner of Elliot’s mouth to tilt up in a leisurely smile. His thumbs caressed her wrists as he leaned down to lightly kiss her forehead. “Does me being here bother you so much?” he whispered against her skin.

  She closed her eyes and moaned at her lack of protest.

  Chapter Ten

  Taking her whimper to mean he was on the right track, Elliot kissed her temple, breathing in the floral scent of her hair. “I could stay a little longer, if you’d like…”

  Her body swayed into his and he released her hands to wrap her in an embrace, drawing her into his arms, lifting her up toward him. He planted tiny kisses along her jaw, causing her to moan again. Finally, he paused with his lips only a breath from hers. “What do you want, Lizzie?”

  She didn’t reply.

  He kissed her gently, more of a nibble than a kiss. Her hands slid up his arms in a caress, her fingers wrapping around his upper arms, so he kissed her again. It was a lingering tender caress of a kiss; then he deepened it, drawing her closer still, crushing her to his chest. Her mouth opened under his lips and his tongue slid inside. He lifted his head to tilt to the other side, then kissed her again, lifting her nearly off her feet.

  At some point when their lips were nearly numb, Lizzie drew back, her heart pounding under his, and her eyes fluttered open. The sounds of the play practice filtered through the wall and the barn was growing darker. She sighed, and Elliot smoothed his hands down her back, feeling the shape of her, the narrowness of her waist, and the flare of her hips.

  * * *

  As Elliot’s hands came to Lizzie’s hips, something in her brain clicked. Her grip dropped from his arms to his hands, halting their search of her body.

  “Elliot—”

  “Mmmm…?” he moaned softly, pulling her to his chest to rest his chin on the top of her head.

  Even though she was legitimately dismayed that she’d kissed him and enjoyed it, she found his embrace endearing and sweet. Fitting under his chin made her feel soft and delicate. Feminine. Petite. Being what she considered to be a strong woman, she didn’t usually allow vulnerability to surface. It was sweet and frightening, and the draw of it both horrified and fascinated her.

  “This is never going to work…” she moaned, even as she drowned in the mellow smell of his cologne, knowing that the scent would forever remind her of this moment.

  Elliot pulled back to search her face. “Kissing? I think it worked pretty well.”

  She batted at his shoulder, then stepped back to readjust her perfect bun.

  “What is it about me that you so dislike?” he asked, his hands finding their way to his trouser pockets. She didn’t need to know it was the only way he could be sure he wouldn’t reach for her again.

  Lizzie glanced up in shock. “I don’t dislike you.”

  He tilted his head to one side, his expression clearly saying he knew better.

  She sighed. “It’s complicated…”

  He took her hand and led her from the barn, back toward the spa. “Is it because I’m leaving soon? Is that what’s got you bothered?”

  Looking off across the yard, she evaded his question.

  “I’m really not the seduce you and take off type, I promise,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “This all caught me off guard too. But…you fascinate me.”

  Her head whipped back toward him. “Me?”

  He laughed, spreading his arms wide and looking around the yard, indicating there was no one else around.

  She made a face.

  “Yes, you!”

  “Why me? What on earth is so interesting about me?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Only everything. Your house, your alpacas, your clothes, your loom.” He paused. “Your lips…”

  She blushed and hurried ahead of him, but his long legs allowed him to catch up within steps. He had no idea how his words had affected her, but his simple phrase had touched her heart. He didn’t know she’d spent most of her life wishing to fade into the woodwork, or that she’d grown into a cold, determined woman, refusing to believe that she was weak or needy, no matter what she was told. He didn’t know how boring her job had been, how it had dragged at her spirit and drained her inner strength. He hadn’t seen her appropriate suits or sterile condo. He only knew who she was now.

  They were nearing her car as the sun sank below the horizon, causing streaks of pink and purple to reflect across the sky. Lizzie reached her car door, then paused, allowing Elliot to circle around her and open her door. Damn his charm.

  “The spa isn’t open tomorrow, right?” he asked as she climbed into the car, giving him no chance to make another move.

  “Nope.”

  He crouched in the open door and took her hand in his. “I’m glad the spa is a success. I’m impressed, really. You and Tara know your clientele, and I’m confident you’ll be running full tilt for a long time.”

  She smiled weakly, accepting his compliment and assurance, having no idea how far he’d come in his assessment of the spa.

  “And about your mom…” he continued, turning her hand over to trace between the blisters on her palm. “You’ll figure things out. I know you will.”

  She stared at her hand, mesmerized by his fingers on her skin. He smiled reassuringly and a lump the size of a softball formed in her throat. “Thanks,” she croaked.

  Elliot kissed her palm, then placed her hand in her lap and stood, still holding the door open. Time stood still as Lizzie waited, wondering what he was thinking. She held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t say another word. If he asked to come by the house later, she wouldn’t be able to tell him no, and she desperately needed to find her footing and keep her distance.

  Finally Lizzie realized that Elliot was watching a truck approach and pull up behind her car. She squinted into the rearview mirror, recognizing Justin’s yellow truck. Tara jumped from the passenger side and trotted up to stand by Elliot. “Hey, you t
wo.”

  “Tara.” They both said in greeting.

  She motioned back toward her husband’s truck, where Justin waved from behind the wheel. “We’re meeting Julia and Chad at Fright Farm, want to join us?”

  Elliot grimaced. “What exactly is a Fright Farm?”

  Tara laughed. “It’s a huge haunted house on the edge of town. People come from three states to see it.”

  “Oh, I’m—I’m not real big on those…” Elliot stammered.

  Lizzie climbed from her car, forcing him to step back. “I love haunted houses!” she cried, clasping her hands in excitement.

  “Jump in then.” Tara motioned for them to follow and headed back toward the truck.

  Shoving his hands in his trouser pockets, Elliot frowned. “I haven’t been to a spook alley for a very long time.”

  Lizzie had never been invited out for an evening with friends. She’d had dinner or lunch with people from work and of course there had been events at the club back home, but all of those were overshadowed by her mother’s interference. The fatigue dragging at her earlier was replaced with joy and excitement. On top of that, the thought of following Elliot into the creepy dark space was so appealing that Lizzie lost all track of herself. “Oh come on, don’t be a baby,” she teased, swatting at his elbow. “It’ll be fun.”

  “Yeah…fun,” he muttered, following Lizzie toward the truck. Opening the back door, he offered her a hand to climb up, then climbed in behind her. A collection of boxes and tools on the seat forced Lizzie to buckle into the middle of the seat, offering him the chance to sit beside her.

  Soon the two couples were bumping down the rutted driveway toward the Rich farm, with Tara and Justin talking excitedly about the notorious spook alley and the extensive pumpkin patch on the farm.

  Being surrounded by friends reaffirmed Lizzie’s resolve that she was on the right track and making the right choices in her life. Elliot was an interruption in the plan, but for one night she was going to have a good time, enjoy his company, fit in with her friends, and go on her first date with a man she chose to be with.