by Theresa
“For now, at least.”
“You’re leaving in a couple weeks so to send our families into a civil war seems pointless.”
“Aren’t they already on the battle field?” he asked.
“Good point. Let’s just not add any more fuel to the fire.”
He nodded. “So… you never told me what makes this place your favorite.”
“There’s a story.”
He laughed. “Why am I not surprised? It seems all small-towns have their stories.”
“This one in particular is pretty great. It ends in tragedy, as do most urban legends, but it’s still very romantic.”
“I’m listening.”
“The lighthouse was constructed in the early 1800’s, but this story takes place years later in 1896. There was a vicious storm, what we east coasters call a Nor’easter. There was a mix of high tides, hurricane force winds, and snow, causing white out conditions along the coast. The keeper had taken ill several days earlier, and his betrothed had been worried since she hadn’t had word from him since. So she braved the storm to go check and make sure he was all right.”
“She didn’t make it, did she?”
“No. But they didn’t find her body until spring when the snow finally melted. The keeper had been holding out hope, and when the body was discovered he was beside himself. That night he went to the top of the lighthouse and jumped. They say on the first big storm of the year you can hear her calling for him.”
“This is a terrible story!” he exclaimed.
“It’s romantic.”
“What’s romantic about a woman freezing to death and a man plunging to his death?”
“She sacrificed her safety for him, and he couldn’t live without her.”
“It’s morbid.”
“That’s your opinion,” she said with a sassy tilt of her head.
“So that’s why you like this place. Because of that awful story?” he asked.
“Partly, but mainly because my mom used to bring me here before she passed.” She smiled, but he could tell it was forced.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It was years ago. But this place, I know it’s just a beach, and a lighthouse but it reminds me of her so much. In the winter we’d walk along this strip of beach, bundled up from head to toe because she believed a little fresh air, no matter how cold it was, was good for the soul. In the spring, she’d get takeout from the restaurant and bring the whole family here to have dinner and watch the sunset. In the summer this is where we came to swim and spend the day in the sun. And the fall, we’d always come to see the harvest moon takeover the sky and rise above the lighthouse. It’s silly, but coming here makes me feel like I’m keeping the tradition and her memory alive.”
It was far from silly, and he was sad that she thought it was. It was nice to honor her mother’s memory. “It’s not silly,” he said.
She met his gaze, warm dark brown eyes full of gratitude. “Thanks.”
He was beginning to arrange the puzzle pieces together that made up Ella Moretti, but he still had a few missing links. “Is that why you live with your grandfather?” he asked.
She took a deep breath and stared out to the water. “I didn’t move in with him until five years later when my dad got arrested for dealing drugs. And that is my story.”
He wasn’t expecting that, and the way she blurted it out was as if she wanted to get it out of the way. As if she’d been living with the stigma her whole life and she just wanted to move past it. Living in such a small town everyone probably knew. It was a badge she didn’t earn but had to wear anyway.
Suddenly, he remembered what his grandfather had said to Vinny earlier. Embarrassed for his careless words, Lucas felt the need to try and make amends.
“I’m sorry about my grandfather calling you—”
She waved her hand. “It’s okay. When you have a dad in jail it kind of comes with the territory. Besides, it’s nothing worse than what the kids in school would say.”
“Kids can be cruel,” he said.
“Lucky for me most of them moved away right after graduation.”
“Do you still talk to him?” he asked. “Your dad I mean.”
“Every third Friday of the month.”
Lucas stopped for a moment as realization dawned on him. “That’s why you were on the bus. You were coming home from seeing him.”
She nodded. “The bus ride home is usually pretty miserable but not this last time.”
“Really?” he said with a stupid grin. “And why was that?”
“I conned some poor unsuspecting soul out of his black jelly beans.”
He laughed. “If I remember correctly, there was no conning. I was happy to share.”
“So you think.” Her long eyelashes fluttered, brushing against the apples of her cheeks.
“Next time I’ll be more careful then.”
They continued walking until they came upon a red and black plaid blanket spread out on the sand. Ella didn’t hesitate, sitting down on the plaid square, resting her arms on her legs and holding her coffee in front of her.
“Is this a small-town thing?” he asked, motioning to the blanket. “You sit on other people’s blankets?”
She smiled. “It’s my blanket. I got here a little before you and laid it out for us.”
“Setting the mood?” he asked with a wink.
“Shut up and sit down.” She laughed and patted the spot next to her.
He did exactly as she said. She pulled out her phone and glanced at it before pushing it back into her hoodie pocket.
“Almost time,” she said, staring out to the water.
“Almost time for what?”
“Sunset. I don’t know how your sunsets are in California, but here in Maine, there’s nothing prettier.”
He looked at her, hair tossing around in the gentle breeze, lips pressed against her cup, delicate cheek bones that got lost to the plump curves when she smiled, and all he could think was the sunset had nothing on her.
***
Ella could feel Lucas’s eyes on her, and her skin heated beneath his gaze. Being out here with him was taking a massive risk, but despite knowing she should stay away from him, she couldn’t. There was something between them, and she didn’t want to fight against it.
For so long, she’d put everyone else first, sacrificing her own happiness to ensure everyone else’s, and now she wanted to put herself first. She deserved to take a risk. Lucas was here in Willow Cove for only a few short weeks so what harm was there to have a little fun.
She rested her cheek against her knee, glancing up at him. When he looked down at her she felt it at her core. “Hi,” she said.
He smiled, that adorable dimple making an appearance. “Hi.”
She could see the start of the sunset, the sky changing from blue to pretty streaks of purple and pink, but she didn’t turn to look at the horizon; she was far more interested in the man beside her.
She put her cup down and he moved closer to her, butterflies fluttering in her stomach the closer he got. His warm breath brushed against her skin. “Just so we’re clear,” he said. “I’m going to kiss you.”
“Just so we’re clear,” she breathed. “I’m going to let you.”
He reached up, his strong hand, cupping the curve of her cheek. She closed her eyes, her heart pattering excitedly against her chest. His lips captured hers in a sweet scorching kiss that ignited a fire in her core, spreading to every inch of her body.
His hand slid into her hair, wrapping around the back of her head and angling her so he could deepen the kiss. He licked a line against the seam of her lips, and she parted them, letting him into the damp heat of her mouth.
Their tongues slid against each other in a slick tangle, and tiny stars exploded behind her eyes. A slight moan slipped from her lips, and his hand tightened in her hair. The sweet gentle movements became more desperate and hungry.
She moved her hands to his chest, wanting t
o feel him beneath her touch. He groaned as her fingers splayed out across the strong expanse and followed up the hard ridges.
Control having been long gone, she kicked her leg over his lap, bringing her sex against his. She rocked against him, their tongues mimicking the slow sensual movements of their bodies.
She had no intention of it going this far, but one press of his lips against hers and her brain had turned off. All she wanted was to feel every inch of him against her. His cool hands slid beneath her shirt, resting on the bare skin of her back. A shiver ran up her spine, short circuiting what little willpower she had.
He grabbed her waist, and with one fluid movement flipped her beneath him. He looked down at her, blue eyes darkened with desire. “If I don’t stop now,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “I don’t think I’ll be able to.”
“Then don’t,” she said, surprising herself.
He kissed her nose and smiled. “I swear I deserve the biggest bag of black jelly beans for what I’m about to do.”
Her eyebrows curved inward as he pushed himself off of her and rolled over. He turned his head, and she looked at him, confusion swirling around her mind.
“Why did you stop?” she asked.
“Because I like you.”
She sat up. “Okay… now I’m really confused.”
He rested his arm over his eyes then lowered it, revealing the beautiful blue. “I don’t want to ruin this by moving too fast.”
“I can respect that,” she said.
“Good.” He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her toward him. “Let’s watch that sunset.”
She cuddled into his side, resting her head on his chest and watched the world surrender to the beauty of nightfall.
Chapter 8
Taco Tuesday was a long-standing tradition Krissy had started six years ago when Ella moved back home. She hadn’t missed one since. Not even a foot of snow could stop her from getting her weekly fix.
Ella rode up to Krissy’s house and hopped off, resting her bike against the white siding. She grabbed the bag of limes out of her basket and headed to the front door.
The house was a cute cape with navy blue shutters and a red door. In a month or two the blue hydrangea bushes that sat on either side of the door would bloom. The flower beds would be filled with colorful blossoms and the window boxes would be overflowing with a variety of flowers.
While Ella loved to decorate interiors, Krissy loved to decorate the exteriors. From May to September she was in the yard with her little shovel and clippers, maintaining the most beautiful yard in Willow Cove.
Ella didn’t mind the long winters; they were quiet, and the town became theirs again, but even she was looking forward to seeing the bright colors of late spring.
She knocked, on the door and Krissy called out for her to come in. She pushed the door open and followed the smell of chili powder and ground cumin coming from the kitchen.
She admired the new picture she’d helped Krissy hang last week. Krissy had originally wanted to place it on the far wall, but Ella thought it would shine above the couch. The picture wasn’t lost to all the other pieces in the room and really stood out as an accent piece, giving the room a much needed splash of color.
“I have the limes,” Ella said, holding them up as she walked into the kitchen.
The walls were a bright yellow accented by a multi-colored tiled backsplash that included an orangey red, white, bright blue, muted yellow and mint green. The cabinets were white and the counter tops red. Somehow all the colors worked together to create a vibrant space filled with a welcoming air. The quirkiness matched Krissy’s personality and Ella couldn’t have dreamed up a more perfect kitchen for her.
Krissy turned from the stove. Her chocolate brown hair that faded into caramel was pulled back into a high ponytail, her bangs sitting above round plastic framed glasses. “Then you better get started on those margaritas,” Krissy said without skipping a beat. “I’ll be done with the chicken in five.”
Ella got to work, grabbing the bright orange ceramic pitcher from the cabinet closest to the fridge and the tequila from the bar cart.
“How was seeing your dad? I never did get to ask you,” Krissy said.
Ella shrugged. “You’d think it’d get easier, but it doesn’t.”
Krissy’s hands stilled on the lettuce she was tearing apart. “That’s because he’s your dad, El. Seeing him there it has to be tough. Why do you think your brothers won’t go?”
“Because they hate him for what he did.”
Krissy shook her head. “I think it’s more than that.”
“Maybe you’re right. But it would be nice to have one of them there with me so I didn’t have to do it alone.”
“I’d like to say they’ll come around.”
“But it’s been eight years,” Ella said, finishing Krissy’s sentence. Krissy gave her a sympathetic smile and Ella darted her eyes to the bottle of tequila. She appreciated Krissy’s concern but there was a reason she didn’t talk about her dad often. It hurt too much. “Where’s Cami?” Ella asked even though Cami was always fifteen minutes late but she needed to change the subject.
Krissy went back to tearing up the lettuce. “On her way. Said she got caught up at the coffee shop.”
“She works entirely too much,” Ella said like she hadn’t stated that a million times before.
“Try telling her that,” Krissy said. “I don’t know how she does it. She’s up at four in the morning to open by five then stays till six almost every night. And on top of that she finds time to go to the gym. I hate her.”
Ella laughed. Krissy hated any type of physical activity. She preferred to use her energy to create. She even turned her hobby of making soaps and lip balms into a business.
“I don’t know why she doesn’t hire more people,” Ella said. “You did and look how much happier you are.” Krissy was happy to lessen her responsibilities in both the ice cream shop and her soap business so she could focus more on the things that mattered to her the most; the creative portion of the businesses. If she wasn’t whipping up new ice cream flavors she was experimenting with new scents.
Krissy’s hazel eyes met hers. “I’m not a control freak like her. She’d be micromanaging those poor people left and right.” “Good point. She’d probably wind up working even more hours because of it.”
“I don’t micromanage,” Cami said as she walked into the kitchen, her platinum blonde beach waves bouncing with each step.
Ella and Krissy turned to the door. “We didn’t even hear you come in,” Ella said.
“I know. What else have you two been saying about me?”
“Other than you’re a workaholic who can’t keep her nose out of everything? Nothing,” Krissy said, grabbing a potholder that was shaped like a chicken.
“Why am I friends with you two again?” Cami asked as she draped her small black designer bag over a chair.
“Because you love us,” Krissy said.
“Only God knows why.” Cami walked farther into the kitchen and looked over everything Krissy was preparing. “Did you preheat the oven for the shells?”
Krissy froze in front of the oven, giving Cami a look before opening the door to reveal the pan of shells inside. “A step ahead of you.”
“Yup, you don’t micromanage one bit,” Ella said, dipping a glass into salt to coat the rims.
Cami turned her attention to Ella. “A really cute guy stopped at the coffee shop the other day.” She started helping Krissy with the food and licked a bit of sour cream off the tip of her finger.
“New meat in Willow Cove and tourist season isn’t even in full gear yet. Maybe it’s an omen for what’s to come. So what was he like?” Krissy asked. “Or should I say how cute was he? I need details.”
Cami swung her gaze back to Ella before answering. “Beautiful blue eyes, dark blond hair, tall with a nice build.”
Ella’s eyes widened, but she quickly recovered. Lucas was currently staying in Will
ow Cove. Of course he’d come in contact with other people, her friends included. And how could she forget that he brought her coffee. “Oh,” Ella said, taking a sip of her margarita.
“Funny thing,” Cami said. “He ordered two coffees. One iced black and the other… a dash of half and half with a sprinkle of cinnamon.”
“Hey, that’s your drink.” Krissy said, putting down the plate of shredded chicken in the middle of the table.
“Uh huh,” Cami said. “Exact same drink. And do you want to know another funny coincidence?”
Ella took a much more generous sip of her margarita. She didn’t even think to tell Lucas to avoid The Local Bean. Of course Cami would be there, she never left, and of course she would put two and two together, it’s what she did. “What’s that?” Ella said, trying to keep her voice void of emotion.
“He asked me for directions to the beach by the lighthouse.”
Busted.
“That’s your favorite place,” Krissy said. She grabbed a taco shell and started to fill it when she froze mid salsa scoop and gasped. “Ella Moretti, you little floozy.”
“Floozy?” Cami asked. “Are we ninety?”
“It’s not like I was going to call her a slut.”
“Why not?” Cami asked.
“Because that’s rude. Whatever. We have bigger issues here. Like who is this mystery blue-eyed hottie and why have you been keeping him a secret?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Ella said, reaching for a taco shell.
Cami smacked her hand, causing her to drop the shell.
“Hey!” Ella exclaimed.
“You can get the shell after you give us answers.”
Ella rolled her eyes and reclined in her seat. “Only because I’m starving and haven’t eaten a thing since breakfast. His name is Lucas.”
Cami and Krissy both cheered. Krissy rested her elbow on the table and her chin on her hand. “Lucas,” she said. “He sounds cute.”
“He is cute,” Cami countered. “But we know that. What we don’t know is what brings him to Willow Cove. Business?”
“Sort of,” Ella said, not sure if she was ready to admit she was going against everything her family held dear by spending time with their sworn enemy.
