He shrugged his shoulders again. “Hmm, I don’t know. Green maybe.”
Ashley almost missed her step. Green was her favorite color. She couldn’t get her hopes up about anything. Hadn’t she told herself that over and over when she’d decided on this course of action for herself? She had talked to Dr. Riggins again yesterday, wanting to make sure she wouldn’t say or do anything to cause Devon a relapse. The doctor had stressed to her again not to get her hopes up about anything.
She smiled up at Ray. “Green? Now, wouldn’t you know that’s my favorite color. However, since this is a rental, I just took what color they had.”
They continued walking and then she asked, “What’s your favorite color?”
His lips curved into a smile. “Not sure I have one.”
Ashley wished she could remind him that it used to be blue. “Everyone has a favorite color.”
He laughed, and the sound was such a Devon Ryan laugh. “In that case I’d say green.”
“Green? Why green?”
They had reached her car and he shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Because it’s your favorite color.”
She moistened her suddenly dry lips. It was either lick her own or reach up and grab hold of his shoulders and lick his. She doubted he had any idea how nice what he said was or how much it meant to her. He was claiming the color green as his favorite only because it was hers. She was feeling all gushy inside.
Slow down, Ashley, she told herself. To him it probably means nothing. Too bad, because for her it meant everything.
“I enjoyed dining with you tonight, Ashley.”
“Same here, Ray. You saved me from dining alone and I appreciate your company.”
He tilted his head to look at her. “A meal at Shelby by the Sea isn’t so bad.”
She smiled. “No, it’s quite good, actually. However, I wanted to get out and try something different. I had hoped to do the lighthouse before I left town but I understand you have to make reservations months in advance.”
“Yes, that’s what I heard. I’ve never been there. I guess you can say it’s way too classy for my taste.”
She didn’t say anything as she absorbed what he said. For Devon Ryan, the classier the better. She tipped her head back and looked at him. “Hmm, I don’t know, Ray Sullivan. I take you as a pretty classy guy.”
“Thanks. Now I better let you go. I’d hate for Vashti to do a bed check and find you missing.”
She couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Staying there is like being part of a family and I like that. And for these two weeks I need that. Good night, Ray. I hope to see you around again.”
“You probably will, especially if you decide to reschedule that tour on my boat.”
“And I do intend to.”
When she unlocked the car door, he opened it for her and she slid inside.
“Good night to you, Ashley.”
She closed the car door and he stood back when she drove off.
Ashley glanced back in her rearview mirror and saw him still standing there with his hands shoved into his pockets while watching her leave. She would sleep well tonight because all her dreams would be filled with the time she had spent with him tonight.
CHAPTER TWELVE
WHILE BRUSHING HIS teeth the next morning, Ray stared at himself in the mirror wondering just who the man was staring back at him. A part of him wished he knew. Then there was that other part, the one who liked his life now and had totally enjoyed Ashley Ryan’s company last night. The part that preferred he didn’t know.
And he had enjoyed her company. There was a lot of things he’d wanted to know and had refused to ask for fear of getting too personal. On the flip side, he would not have been prepared had she inquired about him. What could he say? I really don’t know who I am but I’ll be glad to provide you with the made-up version?
The main takeaway from last night was that Ashley was a woman who was still in love with her deceased husband. It was obvious she hadn’t moved on.
However, neither had Ray. For him it wasn’t that he didn’t want to move on. He just couldn’t. Not when there was a chance his past and future could one day collide.
So what was last night all about? Why, against his better judgment, had he taken a chance? Was joining her for dinner the first step in moving forward, when one day it could blow up in his face?
Ray rinsed out his mouth and looked back into the mirror, again wishing the person staring back at him could shed some light onto his former life or at least help him find closure. He closed his eyes and an image of Ashley came to mind.
She filling his thoughts and he wanted to see her again. She had been easy to talk to and she wasn’t someone looking for an involvement with a man. Far from it. He could see her becoming another friend. Someone to pass the time with while she was in the cove.
A friend? Honestly? How could something like that work when he was so attracted to her? He didn’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. But was being attracted to her a big deal when it was an attraction that he didn’t have to worry about going anywhere?
He drew in a deep breath when he remembered what she’d told him about her decision to stay in the cove all summer. Just because she remained in town didn’t mean their paths had to cross. And if they did, so what?
Satisfied he had his head screwed on straight, he finished dressing and went to work. He had talked to Kaegan last night and promised to help him with some paperwork before the audit was due. That meant Tyler would be handling things by himself most of the day.
As he headed for the door to leave, he knew that although he had enjoyed being with Ashley last night, he refused to think about her any longer.
* * *
“SO, WHAT DO you think of this place?”
Ashley glanced around at the two-bedroom house Bryce Witherspoon had taken her to see. It was not too big and not too small. It was just the size she needed. It also had a beautiful view of the ocean from both bedrooms. She liked the set of the kitchen and eating areas. And there was an enclosed patio off the kitchen if she decided to dine out there to enjoy the gulf.
Ashley turned to Bryce, smiled and said, “I like it.”
When Bryce had picked her up for their appointment, she had been surprised to see the woman she remembered from the café the other day. Bryce explained her parents owned the café but it was a family affair. Her brothers worked there full-time, but she only helped out in the mornings and evenings whenever she could. Like Vashti, she was born and raised in Catalina Cove.
“Great, but I might as well warn you that Mrs. Landers’s family is asking a lot for this rental because it’s on the water. There’s a chance they might sell it, and if they do, I think it will be a good buy for someone who wants to tear this place down and rebuild something larger since it sits on two acres.”
Ashley nodded. Bryce had told her the previous owner, Gertie Landers, had been the town’s midwife and had died a couple of years ago. Her son had recently renovated the place and decided to rent it out for a while before deciding what he would do with it. She liked that it was on a secluded dead-end road with only three other houses. All three were sitting back off the road with long driveways.
“I’ll take it,” she said quickly.
Bryce chuckled. “You didn’t ask how much he wanted each month.”
Ashley smiled. “It doesn’t matter. It’s perfect.”
“I’m glad you think so,” Bryce said, smiling. “I got the paperwork in my car. How about if we finalize things over lunch? There’s this place that I know for a fact has a good lunch menu,” she added, grinning. “And today happens to be fried chicken day.”
Ashley threw her head back and laughed. “That’s just what this Southern girl wants to hear.”
A short while later they walked into the Witherspoon Café and grabbed
a booth. After placing their order, Bryce pulled the paperwork out her briefcase and in minutes Ashley had finalized the rental agreement. She didn’t want to think what would happen if by the end of August she hadn’t made any progress in a relationship with Ray.
“This calls for a celebration,” Bryce said. “What’s on your schedule tonight?”
Ashley wished she could say Ray was on her schedule but she could not. In fact, she doubted if she would even see him today. “Nothing.”
“Then how would you like to join me at Taters?”
Ashley recalled the name. Taters was a popular bar and grill in town. “I’d love to.” After one of Bryce’s brothers brought them glasses of water and left, she asked, “So when can I move in?”
After taking a sip of water through her straw, Bryce asked, “When do you want to move in? You have another week at Shelby’s, right?”
“Yes, and then I’d like to move in after that.” Ashley knew that was moving fast but she didn’t have time to waste. She would have to return home and check on things and repack, but that shouldn’t take her more than a few days.
“No problem.”
She liked Bryce. She was friendly with a bubbly personality, and because she’d lived in the cove all her life, except for the time she had left for college, it was easy to see from the way everyone greeted her that she was well liked.
“I heard about your accident at the beginning of the week and how Ray jumped in after you. I’m glad you’re okay.”
Since it seemed Bryce was on a first-name basis with Ray, Ashley couldn’t help wondering if she was one of those women in town the nurse, Paula Corker, had told her about. One of the ones who’d been interested in dating him. There was only one way to find out. “You know Ray?” she tried asking in what she hoped was a nonchalant tone.
“Yes, Ray and I are friends. He’s a real nice guy.”
He’s also a married guy, Ashley wanted to say but didn’t. She couldn’t tell from Bryce’s response if there was any interest there. For all she knew, Bryce could have a boyfriend somewhere.
“Speak of the devil. Look who just walked in.”
Ashley glanced toward the entrance of the café to see Ray and Kaegan walk in.
* * *
RAY COULDN’T IGNORE the quiver that ran down his spine the moment his gaze connected with Ashley’s. She’d smiled when she saw him and automatically his lips curved into a smile as well.
“Hey, Ray, where are you going?” Kaegan asked. “There’s an empty table over there.”
He stopped and met Kaegan’s gaze. “I see Ashley and want to say hello.”
“She’s sitting with Bryce.”
Ray tipped his head and lifted a brow. “And?”
“Nothing.”
Ray frowned. “For you, there is something, and I think whatever it is, Kaegan, you and Bryce need to deal with it.”
“There’s nothing to deal with. What used to be is over and done with.”
“If that’s true, then don’t you think you should act like it? You don’t have to go over there with me.” He smiled and said, “You can grab that empty table over there to hide out if you like.” Ray knew Kaegan well enough to know what he’d just said had hit a nerve. Hopefully, his friend would take a look at his and Bryce’s attitude toward each other and admit enough was enough.
He moved toward the table where Ashley and Bryce sat and wasn’t surprised to see Kaegan right on his heels. “Ashley. Bryce. How are you ladies doing?” he asked when he reached them.
“Fine,” they both said simultaneously.
Kaegan came to stand beside him. “Ashley. Bryce.”
Ray watched Ashley smile up at Kaegan, but Bryce barely moved her mouth. “Kaegan.”
“You look happy,” Ray said to Ashley. “Did you find a place?”
“Yes, I did, thanks to Bryce.”
Kaegan lifted a brow. “You’re moving to town?” he asked, surprised.
Ashley looked at him. “I like this town so much, I’ve decided to extend my time here through the summer.”
Kaegan nodded. “Oh, I see.”
“Would you guys like to join us?” she asked.
“No!” That quick response came from Kaegan and Bryce.
Ashley glanced over at Ray, who merely shrugged his shoulders before saying, “We have a table over there, so we’ll see you guys later. Congratulations, Ashley.”
“Thanks, and good seeing you again, Kaegan.”
“Same here, Ashley. See you.” Then without even looking at Bryce, Kaegan walked off.
Ignoring Kaegan’s awkward departure, Ray said, “Well, great news, Ashley, and it’s always good seeing you, Bryce.”
Bryce smiled. “Same here, Ray.”
When Ray reached their table, he asked Kaegan, “You want to talk about it?”
“No, not now. In fact, I’m not hungry after all,” he said, standing. “Thanks for your help today.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Kaegan.”
“Hey, you’re leaving?” Sawyer said, suddenly appearing and sliding down into one of the chairs at the table.
“Yes, I’m leaving. I’ll see you guys later.” Kaegan walked off.
“What’s going on with him?” Sawyer asked.
Ray knew he could sum it up in one word. “Bryce.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“GOOD MORNING, RAY.”
“Morning, Tyler,” Ray greeted him, holding his coffee cup with one hand and grabbing the clipboard off the rack with the other. “How was your weekend?”
“Great. How was yours?”
“Good. Got some fishing in with Kaegan around Buccaneer Sound,” he said, scanning the clipboard. He immediately saw Ashley’s name listed as his first cruiser for that day.
He sipped his coffee while recalling that he hadn’t seen her since he ran into her when she’d been having lunch with Bryce. That had been two days ago. He wished he could claim out of sight was out of mind, but that hadn’t been the case. He had thought about Ashley over the weekend, whether he’d wanted to or not.
“I think our first cruiser is headed this way.”
He glanced toward the boardwalk and saw her. In fact, he did more than see her; his gaze was drinking in every inch of her. His groin seemed to tighten with every step she took. She was wearing a pair of cutoffs and a T-shirt. A huge floppy straw hat was on her head, sandals on her feet and sunglasses on her eyes. Damn, she looked good.
“You want me to take her out, right?” Tyler asked.
Usually that was how it worked. Tyler would take out the first cruiser of the day while Ray stayed behind in the office to get as much paperwork done as he could. Today, of all days, he needed to stick with that routine since he had volunteered his time at Kaegan’s office Friday morning.
“Ray?”
He shifted his gaze off Ashley. “No, I’ll take her out. Make sure everything is ready.”
“Okay.”
He glanced back to Ashley, finished off the last of his coffee and set the cup aside before sliding on his sunglasses.
* * *
ASHLEY FELT GOOSE bumps cover her arms when she glanced at the boat and nearly missed her step at the name written on the side of it. The Sunflower. Kaegan had given her a heads-up about it, yet seeing it did something to her nonetheless.
She was glad she was wearing sunglasses. Not only did they protect her eyes from the glare of the sun but she could look her fill at the man standing at the ramp of the boat. Why did he have to look so handsome standing there in a pair of jeans and a snug blue T-shirt that promoted Ray’s Tours? Devon never wore snug T-shirts but she would admit it fit him well. Showed all his muscles.
He was wearing sunglasses as well. She wondered if Ray was checking her out with as much intensity as she was him. She hoped so.
Fro
m the very beginning there had been this connection between them. Even after college neither could contain it. She recalled how they would share breakfast together before classes and how they would study together most evenings and afternoons. When he graduated, she’d found Harvard lonely without him and he would come see her a lot on the weekends. The memories of their times together touched her heart because Devon never tried coming on too strong and he refused to take advantage of her in any way. He’d always been the perfect gentleman and she’d enjoyed being the temptress.
Playing that role now would probably send him running the other way.
The idea couldn’t help but be appealing when he was standing there beneath the morning’s sun. Other than when he wore casual clothes on the weekend, Devon had been strictly a designer-suits-and-expensive-ties man, and had been known as one of the most well-dressed men in town. He’d worn the clothes. The clothes hadn’t worn him. And he’d worn them well. She studied him and thought that he still wore the clothes well. Even the jeans and T-shirt had her licking her lips in feminine appreciation.
Breaking eye contact with him, she looked up into the sky, wondering if the temperature was actually as hot as she felt or if the vibes emitting from Ray were the cause of a spike in her temperature. When she looked back at him, she knew it was him. He was hot even while standing still.
Then he began walking toward her with that self-assured strut she knew so well. She figured it was so much a part of him he probably didn’t realize he was doing it.
When he came to a stop in front of her, she forced her head to stop spinning from his closeness and his scent. He smelled all man. “Good morning, Ashley.”
“Good morning, Ray. Did you have a good weekend?”
He smiled. “I did. Went fishing with Kaegan.”
He had loved going fishing and she was glad he still did. “Did you catch anything?”
“Plenty. Most I threw back.”
She came close to saying that some things never changed. He’d always caught more fish than she did whenever they went fishing. She would jokingly tell him that he was a man who could use his rod...in or out of the bedroom. She felt her cheeks tint and wondered how she could think of such a thing now.
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