In His Eyes

by Barbara Lohr

  Table of Contents

  In His Eyes

  Note from the Author

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Epilogue

  In His Eyes

  Dedication

  Licensing

  Other Books by Barbara Lohr

  Acknowledgements

  In His Eyes

  by Barbara Lohr

  Note from the Author

  Hope you enjoy In His Eyes, a visit to Gull Harbor. In this cozy beach town, the lake waves are gentler, the sand is warmer and the romance? Heartfelt and fun. Keep your toes in the warm sand by signing up for my newsletter. Get updates on my latest books, the giveaways readers love and other fun stuff. Go to my website http://www.BarbaraLohrAuthor.com and use the form to be put on the list. You can also find me on Facebook! http://www.Facebook.com/barbaralohrauthor .

  Chapter 1

  Diana Prescott had a bad history of being with the wrong man. And here she was again, walking into a dance with a guy crazy about another woman. Desperate to make friends in Gull Harbor, she’d agreed to come to the Firemen’s Ball with Cole Campbell, who had it bad for Kate Kennedy. Right now Cole and Kate were having a communication problem. Why had Diana offered to help with the solution? Sarah and Chili, her new book group buddies, had been so persuasive. “Pobrecita, Kate needs to realize how much she loves Cole, no?” Chili had pleaded. “They see each other at the dance and boom! They will know.”

  Right. The lovebirds would realize they needed each other and Diana’s life would still be a mess. Outside, the muggy July air clung like Velcro. Luckily, the Whittaker Woods Country Club had pumped up the air conditioning. These volunteer firemen could generate a lot of heat. Diana’s eyes swept the ballroom of strangers. She could be at home watching The Notebook one more time. But tonight she was a woman with a mission.

  “My buddies are over there.” Cole pointed to a table.

  “Lead the way.” Tugging up the halter top of her sea-blue gown, she followed Cole into the crowd. This felt like senior prom in Newtown, where she’d grown up.

  Soft ringlets tickled her bare shoulders, and she’d spent time on her eye makeup. This was as perfect as she got. Cheers went up when they reached Cole’s group and introductions began. Seemed like nice couples but every guy was taken.

  Cole left to get their drinks. The bolo tie and western boots were a nice touch. Diana smiled to see Kate Kennedy’s eyes sweep Cole like a soft serve cone at the Swirly Top. His return glance could have made a puddle out of any woman. Feeling like collateral damage, Diana straightened her shoulders. She’d agreed to this, and she was getting them together tonight, no matter what.

  A while back, Diana had gone out with Cole for drinks but hadn’t felt that spark. Maybe it was too soon. At the time, she was still recovering from the biggest mistake of her life. And Cole? On top of being a single father, he had a busy construction business. They hadn’t clicked so no hard feelings. No fault, no foul.

  Things were different now and she glanced around. Her eyes skidded to a halt at the guy seated with Kate. Drop. Dead. Gorgeous. Dialing back to the conversation with Chili and Sarah, Diana struggled to fill in the blanks. Wasn’t Kate’s date in charge of some nursing home? This sexy, beach boy blond caring for seniors? She could almost hear Grandma Kit and Aunt Ethel cackling with delight. Kate and the hottie got up to dance. Diana’s eyes followed. Just something about him looked familiar.

  Cole returned with icy margaritas. “Good job, Cole.”

  She’d hardly had her first sip when he shot up from the table. “Dance?”

  “Why not.” The disc jockey was playing “Lady in Red” as he led her onto the crowded dance floor. In the right situation, this song could be a major turn-on. But she wasn't wearing red tonight. Kate was and the dress looked great on her. Diana ran a hand over her own gown that had felt so right...until now.

  Arms in a stiff arc, Cole was treating her like his sister. She almost burst out laughing. “You like this song?” His eyes drifted.

  “Sometimes. Obviously you do.”

  His lips twisted into a guilty smile. “Sorry, Diana.”

  “Not a problem. You and I decided long ago we weren't each other's happily-ever-after.” His body relaxed and so did hers. They had an understanding.

  While the song flowed over the crowd like a liquid aphrodisiac, couples drew closer. Palms probably started sweating. But not Diana’s. When Cole stepped on her toes, she groaned. “Watch where you're going, buddy.”

  “God, I am so sorry.”

  She’d never seen him so flustered. This was getting aggravating. After all, Diana wasn't exactly chump change.

  When Cole swung her around, Diana faced Kate and the ridiculously attractive man, who looked like Diana felt. Irritated. Puzzled too. And yes, sort of familiar. A fabulous dancer, he twirled Kate out and back but she stumbled. Her eyes flew back to Cole like a homing pigeon. Catching the eyes of Chili and Sarah, Diana threw daggers. Chili held out both hands, as if to say, what can we do? Instead of circling the floor, Cole and Diana danced in place way too long.

  She pinched his shoulder. “Enough of that, big boy. Dance or get off the floor.”

  Cole cocked his head to one side. “Sorry, what was that?”

  “I said, move it or lose it.”

  “Sorry, I was just…” Cole had the good grace to blush.

  “Drooling over Kate,” she supplied. “Take out a hankie and wipe your chin.”

  He brushed his face with one hand.

  “Kidding, Cole. I was kidding.” Really, he was useless tonight. What she’d give to have some guy this crazy about her.

  “We worked on her flower stand all summer,” he stammered. “You ever stop there?”

  “Never had much of a green thumb myself.” Who was he kidding? Kate and Cole did way more than plan a roadside stand.

  “She’s brought a lot to Gull Harbor,” he said with the reverence usually reserved for Nordstrom.

  The song ended. Cole led her back to their table. “How about another drink?” he asked, tugging at his bolo tie.

  “Sure. Why not?” He left for the bar. Two tables over, Kate said something to Sarah and Chili, and the three of them made tracks to the ladies room. When the Rolling Stones wailed about not having any satisfaction, Diana knew just how that felt. Drumming her fingers on the tablecloth, she snuck a peek at her phone. Leaving now would look strange. Time to tie this up.

  “Here you go.” Cole set two frosty margaritas on the table. Diana took one hearty gulp and grabbed her beaded bag. “I'll be right back.”

  “Okay, and Diana...?”

  With a sigh, she turned.

  “You really do look beautiful tonight.” He offered the compliment like an apology.

  “Thank you.” After all, she’d agreed to this.

  Customers she recognized from her store Hippy Chick complimented her on the dress as she swept past. Waving, she made a detour to talk to the disc jockey then continued on her way. When she pushed open the door of the ladies room, the discussion was well underway. “What's this? Planning the next book club meeting?” She planted her silver sandals squarely on the tiled floor.

  The three of them looked guilty as sin. “You two need to t
alk.” Pointing, Chili circled the air between Kate and Diana. “Diana, you explain please, yes?”

  So, they were handing her the ball? Kate looked totally confused. Obviously, she hadn’t expected to see Cole here, especially with a date. Diana didn't blame her one bit. Here was her chance to be one of the group. She was closing the deal. “See you later, Chili and Sarah.” She waved them away.

  The door whooshed shut behind them, leaving Diana alone with Kate.

  “Nice dress.” Taking out a small brush, Diana worked on her limp curls. “Where did you get that, Chicago?”

  “Second Hand Rose. The consignment shop up the road.”

  “No way. Really?” She’d have to check it out.

  “Amazing, right?” Kate applied lip gloss as red as her dress. “But what about you? Your gown is drop-dead gorgeous. Kind of a sexy mermaid look.”

  “It’s a sample. The vendor let me keep it. So did Sarah and Chili clue you in about why I’m here with Cole?”

  Kate kept jabbing at her lips like they were a dart board. “Sort of.”

  “Just so you know, I have no designs on him. When Sarah and Chili came up with this scheme, I wanted to help.” I wanted to be part of the group. Taking out a small hand mirror, she checked the back of her hair.

  “I don’t get it.” Kate gave up on the gloss.

  “You and Cole need to settle this. At least, that’s what Sarah and Chili think. A ladies’ choice is coming up. Ask Cole to dance, and I’ll entertain your date.” How Diana hated relationship drama. She’d had enough to last a lifetime.

  Frowning, Kate snapped her tiny purse shut. “But Cole's with you!”

  “Sarah and Chili arranged it. The temperature in the ballroom goes up ten degrees every time you and Cole look at each other. I'm definitely in the line of fire and so is whoever you're with...?” She waited.

  “Will. Poor guy. You think he's noticed?” Kate frowned.

  “Would you notice a forest fire?” Will. I like the name. “Cole's done nothing but talk about your flower stand tonight.” Not exactly true but close. “You need to work this out. I’ll keep your date busy.”

  “Oh lord. Really?” Kate scrubbed a hand over her forehead. “Be kind to Will, okay?”

  Now that hurt. “Come on, Kate. Do I look like Cruella Deville?”

  “I didn’t mean that. It’s just that Will’s such a nice guy. A good person.” Kate could be describing paper towels, not the hottie she was ignoring tonight.

  Time to drill down on the details. Diana liked clarity, especially after what she’d been through. “I mean, did you...does Will have...any ties to you?” Any mistaken fumblings I should know about?

  “No, no. I was surprised when he asked me.” Kate plumped her long chestnut curls. “He was so nice to Mom after her stroke. A real sweetheart. We met at the Gull Harbor Care Center. He’s the administrator.”

  Okay, Kate had vetted her date. Diana didn’t have any plans beyond one dance. Time to get on with it. When the two of them returned to the ballroom, the sound level had kicked up a notch and a buffet line was forming.

  “Hungry?” Cole asked, eyes flitting to Kate’s receding back.

  “Famished.” Her own focus drifted to the tall blond, who was pulling out Kate’s chair. Did she dare? Uncertainty fluttered in her stomach.

  Cole and Diana joined the buffet line, where he heaped his plate with enough food for a construction crew. Thick slices of ham studded with cloves nestled beside cheese-crusted potatoes. Diana spooned some green beans and a thin strip of ham onto her plate. Back at the table, the guys talked about beach preservation techniques. This summer had been especially bad for sand erosion. Listening with half an ear, she nibbled on her beans.

  While Cole left for the restroom, Diana made tracks back to the band. “That ladies’ choice coming anytime soon?” She batted her long lashes, and the man checked the list on the paper in front of him.

  “You bet. It's my job to please the ladies.” Was he winking at her?

  “Right.” She turned on her heel.

  Cole returned with a plate filled with cookies—chocolate chip, Mexican hot chocolate, and snicker doodles. Her grandma used to make those, and she snapped one up. “Thanks, Cole.”

  The sound system squealed when the disc jockey grabbed the mic. “We have a special request for a ladies’ choice. Ladies, choose your man.” Diana hunkered down behind her snicker doodle.

  “I Only have Eyes for You” started playing. The cookie melted in her mouth and she stopped chewing. Diana remembered Grandma Kit peeling potatoes at the kitchen sink while this song played in the background. Grandpa Stanley would come in from his shop out back, wash his hands, and then kiss Grandma on the neck. She wanted that someday.

  “Cole, I’m going to ask Kate’s date to dance. If she doesn’t head over here, take matters into your own hands. That okay with you?”

  The poor man looked surprised but relieved. “Sure. Whatever.”

  Was she about to make a fool of herself? Diana got up. Wouldn’t be the first time. Her heel caught in the hem of her dress and she stumbled. Slow down. Grabbing the nearest chair, she got her bearings while women led men to the dance floor. The song poured over them in a wave of longing. By the time she got to Kate’s table, her confidence was faltering. She didn’t even know the man. But she hadn’t gone through this uncomfortable evening for nothing. With Sarah and Chili beaming at her, she tapped Kate’s shoulder. “Mind if I steal your date for a minute?”

  The blond looked surprised but not unhappy.

  “Oh. Well, s-sure. Will, this is Diana Prescott, a friend from my book group.” Kate’s attention was already drifting toward Cole. “Diana, this is Will Applegate. Is this okay with you?”

  He was already getting to his feet. “Sure. Fine. Glad to meet you, Diana.”

  For a second, Diana felt desperate and foolish. Then Will threw her the smile of a co-conspirator. Had he been ignored all night too? “I’d like to hear more about the book group.”

  Sure. Right. Chili elbowed Sarah. They didn’t even try to hide their giggles. Nacho, Chili’s husband, rolled his eyes. Diana heard him mumble, “Madre de Dios.”

  Dodging tables and chairs, she felt boldly conspicuous. Why had she done this?

  Will took her in his arms. “You’re shaking.”

  “Am I?” When his left hand closed over hers, the trembling stopped.

  “Better?” He looked down at her with wise eyes.

  Her shoulders loosened. “Much.” This might be fun.

  “Good, let’s dance.” He swept her into the music then twirled her, passing her under his arm with elegant moves. But still he kept her at a polite distance, like they were in an eighth grade dancing class. No grabby hands wandering from her waist. No sweaty cheek sliding onto hers. Just movement and rhythm. The man knew how to dance. Her stomach tightened with admiration, chased by a tumbler of lust.

  Diana lost the beat. He raised a brow. She got back into it and he smiled. If this was a test, she wasn’t about to fail it.

  After a few turns, he slowed down. Heat burned through her body when his hand tightened on her waist. “So why me?”

  She blinked. “What do you mean?”

  “Why did you ask me to dance and not your date?” His left arm remained rigid, keeping his distance. She liked that. Needed that separation right now.

  “Cole and I were fixed up.” How embarrassing to admit this.

  “Really? A beautiful woman like you could have anyone.”

  His matter of fact tone made her smile. “You think so, huh?”

  “I know so, not that I’m complaining. I’m kind of new here, trying to learn the ropes.” He whipped her around and broke into a brisk two-step.

  “So you’re not mad?” Diana gasped when she could breathe again. “After all, you did invite Kate, and she said yes.”

  He trained those all-knowing eyes on her. “Look, I may be a country boy, but I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck. I hardly knew
Kate when I invited her. The dance sounded like fun, and I felt like coming. I don’t meet many women... I mean, not under the age of sixty.” A rueful smile tugged at his lips.

  She chuckled. “So, you're the administrator of the nursing home in town?”

  “Nursing home?” His forehead wrinkled. “I like to think of us as a home away from home. You know, a safe place. Do I sound preachy?”

  “Nope, not at all.” Those words might sound scripted from another guy, a page from a promotional brochure. But not from Will. “My grandfather spent his final days in a care center following a bad fall. They were really nice to him. That meant a lot.”

  Now, what pulled that truth from her? Diana rarely shared that memory.

  “I’m sorry, Diana.” Had Will pulled her closer?

  “Yeah.” His nearness soothed the sting. “Well, it happens. What made you choose that field?”

  “I've always liked old people.” They did a few more swirls and twirls.

  “Me too,” she said. “I was raised by my grandparents. Then my grandfather passed away after that accident. We really miss him.” How she wished she could roll back time and visit her grandfather more at that nursing home. She’d been trying to keep up with her classes. No one expected him to take that sudden turn.

  As if he could read her mind, Will’s hold on her hand tightened. “My grandfather died in Vietnam way before I was born, so I never knew him. My grandmother lived with us. It was like having two moms.”

  How was he able to keep up this pace and talk? Diana was starting to pant.

  “Two moms? You were lucky.” She would have settled for one. Will had probably grown up in the ideal, loving family. That would figure. Twirling her out, he did the two-step and pulled her back in. She followed. Amazing.

  “California swing, right?”

  His eyes widened. “You know?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact.”

  “Game on.”

  What followed was exercise enough to glue Diana’s dress to her body like a leotard. When they passed under an overhead fans, she squeezed his firm bicep and stopped. “Stay. Just for a minute.”

  “Right.” He inhaled. “So, do you have any siblings?”