Season of Love

by Jill Sanders

  He rolled back so that now they were face-to-face. Her eyes were almost the same color as the sky behind her. She had a small freckle on the side of her mouth and suddenly he had an overwhelming urge to taste the spot.

  She’d worn her hair in a loose braid, with a cotton cap over the top. Still, a few strands of her blonde curls had escaped, and he reached over to brush a few away from her lips. His thumb slowly strayed over the freckle and he heard her breath hitch.

  “I’m good at a lot of things,” he said softly. Then he leaned in until they were a breath away from one another.

  She closed the distance between them, her soft lips pressed lightly against his. His fingers tightened slightly, then cupped her head, nudging her closer to him. That moment, with her lips next to his, woke something that had been asleep for far too long.

  In an easy move, he had her body under his as their lips continued to move as one. He pulled off the cap and untangled her hair from the braid, enjoying the feeling of it in his hands.

  “My god,” he said under his breath. He’d forgotten how wonderful a woman’s soft body felt under his. Then his eyes opened, and he saw Lilly’s blonde hair spread out on the beach blanket and he froze.

  She was too good for him. Too perfect. “Lilly, I…” He shook his head lightly and realized that her fingers were tangled in his hair.

  “Don’t.” She smiled up at him. “You’re thinking too much.” She tugged lightly, and his mouth returned to hers.

  How long had he wanted this, dreamed about kissing those full lips? Since the moment she’d walked into his place months ago.

  Giving himself one more moment to enjoy, he rolled until she lay over him. Her hands ran over his arms, his chest, and for a split second, he dreamed of doing the same to her. Feeling those soft breasts of hers in his hands, cupping them, taking her peaks into his mouth.

  He stiffened when he heard a crash of thunder in the distance, then sighed as his world came crashing back to reality. Knowing who he was, where he’d come from, what his burdens were, he pulled away from her.

  “Sounds like rain,” he said, getting to his knees, then reaching down for her. “We’d better…” He didn’t get out another word before a fat rain drop landed on Lilly’s cheek, making her laugh.

  She let him pull her up, then helped him gather the basket and blanket. They raced together towards his car, and when he sat behind the steering wheel, she was still smiling at him from the seat next to him.

  “Lilly,” he started again, but shook his head. “I’d better take you home.” He glanced down at his watch and groaned. “I’m supposed to be at work in an hour.”

  “You should get a full day off,” she nudged as he started to pull the car back down the road.

  “Should and will soon enough,” he agreed.

  As they drove back towards town, they talked about employees and how she hoped to hire a few workers as well, so she and Riley could have days off.

  “Of course, we’re not going to be open every day like you guys are,” she added with a sigh. “Still, it would be nice to have days to go out looking for projects of my own.”

  “You have a big enough family, I’m sure there’s a cousin who can fill in for you once in a while.”

  “Yes,” she beamed. “Suzie’s coming home soon.”

  He nodded, not quite sure which family Suzie belonged to. It was another reminder of the separation between them. He had Carter, she had an entire town and a family large enough to fill half of that town.

  He felt the doors closing once again on that part of himself he’d locked away long ago. It would be better for her, in the long run, if they didn’t get involved. He couldn’t imagine spoiling her life with the darkness he knew flowed through his veins.

  Lilly Stevens was going to have to be off-limits to him from here on out. Now, all he had to do was convince her of that fact.

  7

  When Corey stopped in her parents’ driveway, she could tell his mood had changed. Taking a chance, she turned to him, but before she had a chance to open her mouth, an old truck pulled in beside them. She groaned softly as her brother jumped out. A smile matching their father’s flashed quickly when he saw her sitting in the passenger seat. They had beat the rain by a few minutes. Here the sky was dark, but no rain fell yet.

  “Hey.” He knocked on her window.

  “Sorry about this,” she whispered as she opened the door.

  “Dad said you were on a date.” George’s eyes moved over to Corey. “Miller, right?” Her brother nodded his head and waited as Corey stepped out of the car and moved around it. She was already standing beside George when he stretched out his hand.

  “Corey,” he supplied. “George, right?”

  “Yup.” George slung a brotherly arm over Lilly’s shoulders. Her brother had outgrown her in the height department when he was fifteen. Now, he towered over her and was almost as tall as her uncle Iian. She craned her neck up and narrowed her eyes at her brother.

  “We were talking.” She almost hissed it.

  “Good.” George smiled down at her. “If you can’t talk, then what good is a date?” He chuckled at his joke. “Why don’t you come in. I’m sure the folks will—”

  “He has to get to work,” she supplied quickly.

  “Oh.” George sighed. “I heard you hired Robin and Emma.”

  Lilly saw the spark in her brother’s eyes when he mentioned Emma. Twisting slightly, she poked him in the ribs.

  “Go inside now,” she said quietly.

  George nodded. “I’ll let you two… finish up.” He winked at Corey. “I’ve got a date later tonight. I was thinking we’d have some of that lasagna your brother makes.”

  Corey smiled. “The best along the coast.”

  George nodded in agreement. “Whatever it is you guys put in it… pure crack.” He chuckled as she pushed him towards the front door. “See you around, Corey.”

  “Later.” Corey waved, then turned towards her. “Nice brother.”

  “He can be,” she agreed.

  “He looks like your dad and your uncle mixed.” He frowned. “Kind of scary if you think about it.”

  She laughed, and he turned towards her and flushed slightly.

  “I just meant…”

  She shut him up by stepping into his arms. “I get it. My family can be a little… overwhelming.” She sighed, and her smile fell away as she searched his green eyes. “Don’t let them get between this.” When he stiffened she realized she’d guessed correctly. “You didn’t take them to the beach today, only me.”

  “Still.” His hands gripped her jacket behind her back. “You’re a package deal.”

  “When it comes to Pride, everyone is. I still run into my exes. You can choose for things to be weird or…” She shrugged. “Or just realize that the small things shouldn’t matter as much as they do. I’m here now, with you.” She leaned up on her toes and brushed a soft kiss across his lips and felt him relax slightly. “That’s all that matters at the moment.” She leaned back.

  When he nodded and rested his forehead against hers, she smiled.

  “Thanks for the picnic,” she added.

  “We should do it again, soon. Maybe take in a sunset?”

  “I’d like that.” She couldn’t hide the excitement in her voice. She hated playing games with men, wasn’t any good at it, really.

  “I’ll stop by the shop tomorrow. I’m dying to find out what your surprise is.”

  She groaned. “I had forgotten about it, but now that’s all I’m going to think about until—” He dipped his head down and covered her lips. This kiss took her deeper than any before had. Her mind blanked and her entire body started to slowly vibrate.

  “There,” he said when he pulled back. “Now you’ll only be thinking about that, about me. Now, I really do have to go.”

  She took a slow step back and nodded. Unable to find her voice, she waved at him as he drove back down the driveway.

  When she heard a
low whistle, she turned and shot her brother a glare.

  “If looks could kill, sister.” George walked over and slung his arm around her shoulders again. It was a move her brother did often. She sometimes complained that he did so because he was lazy and didn’t have the strength to stand on his own.

  “You were supposed to go inside,” she hissed.

  “And miss watching out for my little sister?” He shook his head.

  “I’m older than you by four years,” she reminded him.

  “I meant… little.” He patted her head, and she poked him in the ribs again as they walked towards the house.

  For the rest of the day, she wandered around the house, unable to get Corey and that kiss off her mind. That night, he filled her dreams.

  By the next morning, she’d all but forgotten about Riley’s surprise, so when the buzzing of her phone woke her, she was too foggy minded to understand why Riley was trying to wake her up at a quarter to seven.

  “You promised you’d be ready by seven.” Riley’s voice finally broke through the haze of sleep.

  “Seven?” She shook her head and looked at her clock. “Oh.” She bolted up and started searching for her clothes. “Seven. Right, the surprise.” Excitement filled her.

  She rushed to get ready, pulling on her work boots and worn jeans. When she heard the rain outside, she pulled on an old gray sweatshirt. She tied her hair up in a loose bun and didn’t bother with makeup, since she knew the plans for the day were to work at the store.

  Grabbing her keys, she was out the door in under fifteen minutes. When she pulled into her parking spot behind the store, Riley was standing there, waiting for her under a very large, very bright green umbrella.

  “Are you ready?” she asked. Lilly could see Riley’s excitement written all over her face.

  “I’m not sure. I think I’m more nervous.” Her eyes narrowed. “Whatever it is, tell me I’m going to love it.”

  Riley laughed. “You are going to do more than love it.” She grabbed her hand and tugged her.

  “You aren’t going to make me close my eyes, are you?” she asked.

  “No.” She rolled her eyes. “I know how big of a klutz you are.”

  Lilly chuckled and followed her cousin through the back door. When they stepped into the main area, Lilly gasped. She dropped her cousin’s hand and rushed over to the three new pieces sitting in the middle of the floor.

  There was a tall, nasty-colored metal stand on wheels that had two drawers and six wood shelves. The piece was beautiful. She could already imagine repainting it a vibrant sea green and sanding down and restaining the shelves. She could envision having multiple candles, lotions, and other bottles as showpieces on them.

  Next to the shelf was a large circular piece with four shelves. They tiered up, like a wedding cake. It needed some fresh paint, but the possibilities for showcasing product on it were endless.

  The third piece was the most beautiful piece she’d ever seen. She walked over and looked down at it. It was actually two pieces. Two circular, oversized ottomans done in crisp white soft leather with large colorful buttons were connected around one of the white posts in the middle of the floor.

  She’d complained about needing to keep the post smack in the middle of the flow of the room. Now, with the circular half wall that had been built to separate the dressing rooms, bathroom, and back room, it looked like the room had been built around the ottoman. She could just imagine throwing a couple of soft, colorful pillows on the thing so customers who were waiting for loved ones to try on clothes could relax back while they waited.

  “They’re perfect.” She turned to her cousin, who was standing behind her, smiling and waiting.

  She ran a finger over the first shelf. “I’m going to work on this one first. I can’t wait to see how it looks…” She glanced around and found a perfect spot next to another post. “There.” She walked over, wheeling the shelves with her. “Right here. Sea foam green.” She tilted her head and stepped back. “We still need a few glass cases.”

  “I’m so happy you said that.” She motioned to someone and Lilly stood back as Iian, Jacob, and Lilly’s dad carted in a large glass case. It was longer than she’d expected, and she guided them to set it where they had agreed the case would go.

  “It… looks brand new.” She frowned as she inspected the piece.

  “It is,” Riley added. “Your dad got an amazing deal.”

  Lilly turned and frowned at her father. “You?”

  “A gift, from your mother and I.” He hugged her and kissed the top of her head.

  “And this,” Iian said, signing along, “is from your aunt and I.” He motioned to the smaller piece her cousins Matthew and Jacob were carrying in.

  The whitewashed wood display table was stunning. They set it down in the middle of the floor, so Lilly could walk around it. It too was brand new. Tears filled her eyes.

  She couldn’t have picked more perfect pieces if she’d tried.

  “How did…” She turned to her family.

  “You had these pieces circled.” Riley pulled out a brochure and a magazine. “I played spy.” She smiled and showed her the magazines Lilly had spent countless hours scouring to find the perfect pieces for the shop.

  The ones sitting in front of her were nearly identical.

  “This is all so…” She sighed and wiped away a tear.

  Riley walked over and hugged her. “Perfect,” she finished for her.

  Three hours later, with a paint brush in her hands, she stood back and smiled at the newly painted shelves.

  Riley was cleaning up the other pieces and rearranging a few shoe shelves. Parker had installed slat walls on a section of the wall, so they could hang clothing and shoe racks.

  “You do know that when we start opening product boxes tomorrow, you’re probably going to rearrange that entire wall again, right?” Lilly suggested.

  “I know.” Riley sighed. “But until then, I can dream.” She turned to her. “Besides, you didn’t want me sanding the shelves, so there really isn’t anything else I can do today.”

  “Then go home. Now that the painting of the frame is done, I’m going to go into the alley and start sanding the shelves.” She couldn’t wait to start that process.

  “We have less than a week before we open,” Riley said out of the blue, then she squealed and did a quick spin, her hands up in the air. Then she stopped and gasped. “Less than a week!” Her smile fell away.

  Lilly laughed. “Go home. Get some rest. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow.”

  “I can run across the street and get you a sandwich before I go?”

  “Donuts,” she suggested instead. “And a blueberry muffin from Sara’s Nook.”

  Riley smiled. “Done. Coffee?”

  “Of course.” She laughed.

  Pulling out a fresh dust mask, she took the sander out back as Riley walked across the street holding her bright umbrella.

  Lilly had set the shelves under the large overhang from the back door. Plugging in the sander, she got to work on the first shelf.

  Five minutes later, a dark sedan pulled up and parked next to her car. Frowning, she watched a man in a dark suit step out, open a black umbrella, and walk to the back door of Baked.

  “They aren’t there yet,” she called out. She glanced down at her watch. “They won’t be there for another hour. They usually get in around eleven.”

  The man stepped closer to her under the overhang and closed his umbrella. She gauged him to be in his late sixties. He was grossly overweight and about six foot with a thick reddish-gray beard that was trimmed neatly. His suit probably cost as much as the rental car he drove. He had lawyer written all over him.

  “Do you know where I can find the Millers?” he asked.

  She tilted her head. “Who’s asking?”

  The man’s chin rose slightly. Considering the man had three of them, the move should have been an improvement. Instead, it made him look like a walrus read
y to fight and protect his territory.

  He pulled a business card from his pocket, and she frowned down at it.

  “Mr. Earl Triggs, Attorney at Law.”

  “Mr. Triggs, as I mentioned, they won’t be in until around eleven.”

  “You wouldn’t happen to know their address?” he asked.

  “No,” she said. She knew they were renting the Carson place, but didn’t think it wise to give up that information.

  Now that she thought about it, yesterday at the beach they had talked business and her personal life, but she hadn’t learned hardly anything about Corey. She mentally kicked herself for being so self-focused on their date.

  The man looked around. “Is there someplace I could get a cup of coffee?” he asked.

  She nodded and pointed to the end of the street.

  “End of the street, take a right. You’ll run into Sara’s Nook,” she answered.

  “Thanks.” He turned to go.

  “They…” She cleared her throat. “They aren’t in any trouble, are they?”

  He shook his head. “No, it’s a bereavement call.” He turned to get back into his car.

  She stood there, listening to the rain fall in the alley, and wondered if she should call Corey.

  “Who was that?” Riley stepped up to her and shut her umbrella, setting it by the back door and handing her a cup of coffee.

  “It was a lawyer looking for Corey and Carter.”

  Riley frowned at the dark sedan turning right on Main Street.

  “What did he want?” she asked.

  “He said someone they knew died.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad.” Riley frowned. “I wonder who? They’ve been really secretive about their family.” She turned to her and handed her a bag of donuts and her muffin. “Do you think it was one of their parents?”

  She shrugged again and took the coffee and the bag inside.

  “Are you going to call him and let him know a lawyer is looking for them?”

  “Do you think I should?”

  “Yes,” she answered quickly. “Of course.”

  Lilly nodded and set her coffee down to pull out her cell phone. She had Corey’s number programmed and clicked it.