by Jenna Harte
Sydney stepped forward, scanning the paintings. “Can I see that one with the sunset over the mountains?”
“Are you going to buy one?” Julia asked.
Sydney nodded. She didn’t need a painting, but she wanted to help the woman who was sacrificing raising her children to serve her country.
“This is one of my favorites.” The vendor brought the canvas to Sydney. “It’s down at Potters Creek. Have you been there?”
“No.” Sydney turned the painting over and read the $30 price tag.
“It’s real nice there. But don’t go without four-wheel drive, or you’ll be stucker than a fly in molasses.”
Julia snickered. Patrick coughed as if he was drowning out Julia’s ill-mannered chuckle.
Sydney pulled two twenties from her wallet. “I’m sorry I don’t have change.”
“No worries. I’ve got some.” The woman waved away Sydney’s concern and began to reach for her cash box.
“That’s okay.”
At first the woman’s eyes narrowed and Sydney worried she’d hurt her pride. But then the woman smiled. “Well, that’s mighty nice of you.”
“This is a wonderful picture. Worth every penny. Can I leave it here for now and pick it up when I’m ready to leave?”
“Well, of course. I’ll just set it in the corner.”
“Thank you.”
As they walked away, the vender wished them a “blessed day.”
“Is that an NRA booth?” Julia pointed to an exhibit across the path.
Patrick looked to where Julia pointed. “It looks like it.”
“Wow. I want to see.”
Sydney sighed but followed as Julia made her way toward the tent.
“Look, they’re raffling a gun.” Her expression was incredulous. “Is that legal?”
“Must be.” But Patrick sounded surprised too.
“Do you think I could enter and win?” Julia’s enthusiasm concerned Sydney. It was the kind of excitement that often got her in trouble.
“You wouldn’t be the first New Yorker to get a gun from Virginia.”
Sydney stiffened and turned at the sound of the deep, dark voice. Mitch. Duel emotions of grief and anger swirled at the sight of his mesmerizing green eyes. He was dressed casually in jeans and a pale yellow golf shirt that hung loose from the waist. A slight bulge at his hip suggested he was carrying a weapon, making Sydney wonder whether he kept his gun with him even when he wasn’t working. Or maybe he was working.
“Well, hello.” Julia’s gaze blatantly took an appreciative inventory of him. It was another reminder to Sydney of how little she and Mitch knew of each other’s lives. He’d never met her childhood friends.
“Julia, this is Mitch. These are my good friends from New York, Julia and her brother, Patrick.”
Julia jerked back, her demeanor turning less friendly. “Doctor Patrick Andres,” she clarified. Now that she knew who Mitch was, she was going to become snobby. Unfortunately, that would just prove Mitch’s point that they came from different worlds.
Mitch extended his hand. Julia’s shake was limp but, fortunately, Patrick had the good manners to offer a hearty shake and hello.
“What are you doing here?” Sydney winced at the indignation of her tone.
One bronze brow lifted. “It’s the fair.”
“Oh. Right.”
“Are you following her, because that’s stalking. There are stalking laws in Virginia, right?” Julia took a protective stance next to Sydney.
“There are stalking laws. But since I was born and raised here, I don’t think I’m the stalker,” Mitch replied coolly, never taking his gaze off Sydney.
“Hey, there you are.” Lexie trotted up to Mitch, thankfully cutting off whatever Julia was about to say. Lexie looked from Sydney to Mitch, apparently trying to figure out what was going on.
“This is Lexie, Mitch’s sister.”
Julia extended a limp hand to Lexie and lifted her nose with an air of superiority, while Patrick graciously said hello. Sydney glanced at him, hoping he’d read her mind. I thought you said you’d make her behave.
“Are we having a committee meeting?” Drake strolled up, draping an arm around Lexie.
“We’re having something,” Lexie murmured. “This is my husband, Drake Carmichael. These are Sydney’s friends, Julia and Patrick.”
“Drake Carmichael?” Patrick extended his hand. “As in Carmichael Corp?”
“That’s right.”
“The stores?” Julia gaped.
“Yes.”
“I’d heard one of the brothers married and moved away. That’s you?” Julia gave him a hearty handshake.
“He visited his granddaddy down here and, well, once you meet a southern gal, you never go back. Isn’t that right, sugar?” Lexie laced her voice with an affected southern drawl.
Sydney stifled a laugh at Lexie’s over-the-top accent while Drake blushed but smiled at his wife. “Absolutely.”
Fortunately, Julia didn’t reply.
“The baby wants a deep fried Oreo.” Lexie looked at her husband.
“I guess we better find one. Excuse us.” Drake led Lexie away.
Sydney had half a mind to join them.
“Did she say deep fried Oreo? It sounds disgusting. I want one.” Julia followed after Lexie and Drake.
“I better go with her. You coming?” Patrick asked.
“Give me a minute.”
Mitch lingered, which meant he had something to say. She had something to say too. They’d have it out and then she’d do her best to avoid him, which wouldn’t be easy in a small town, but she’d try.
“Have you seen the star grove?” Mitch nodded toward a group of trees at the far end of the row of booths.
“No.”
Mitch started walking. With a roll of her eyes, Sydney followed.
“This land used to be owned by the Cahill family. Old Jasper Cahill came to America as an indentured servant at the age of ten, worked his seven years, and then spent the next twenty years buying land and building this farm.”
Sydney wasn’t sure why Mitch was telling her Jasper Cahill’s story, but she continued to follow him to the trees.
“But Jasper didn’t want to build the dream alone. He set his sights on Lucy Mae, the most beautiful girl in the county. Jasper loved her so much that one of the first things he did was cut this grove.”
Mitch stopped in the middle of the group of trees. “You see, he wanted to give her the stars.” He looked up.
Following Mitch’s lead, Sydney tilted her head back. “Oh, the trees make a star.” She smiled, charmed by the story and the lengths Jasper went through to impress Lucy Mae. “That’s a romantic story.” And it was one that made her second guess Mitch’s intentions.
“Well, yes, until Lucy Mae betrayed old Jasper and left him for Sam Shiflett.”
And just like that, the lightness of the moment was gone. She understood, even if she didn’t agree, why Mitch was angry, but not why he continued to be a jerk about it.
She stood with her hands on her hips, shaking her head at him. “That’s why you brought me here? To tell me again how awful you think I am?”
“Well, it wasn’t to give you the stars, honey.”
His words were like a slap, and she stared at him, unable to wrap her mind around how much she had loved him in college. How did the man she’d wanted to spend her life with become so hurtful?
“Look, Mitch, I get it. You blame me for things falling apart. You don’t need to hunt me down to remind me every day. Charlotte Tavern is small, but I think I can avoid you and I’d appreciate it if you stayed away from me.” She turned and began to march away, willing herself to not shed one more tear over Mitch McKenna, even though her eyes watered.
“I called you.”
His words stopped her.
“When I was at boot camp, I called.”
She turned, wondering what he was talking about.
“But your phone had been d
isconnected.”
Oh, God. Her breath hitched as she remembered how her parents had changed phone plans and numbers around the time Mitch went away.
“So I e-mailed.” His voice was calm, matter-of-fact, but there was no mistaking the anger in his eyes.
“I didn’t—”
“Well, you wouldn’t, would you, since you blocked e-mails from me.”
“No…” She pressed her fingers to her temple as confusion whirled.
“So I wrote you. A real letter with my chicken scrawl and a stamp. It wasn’t returned, so I know you got it. But you didn’t answer it.”
She couldn’t breathe as the magnitude of what he was saying crashed down on her. “I never got mail. Maybe your letter got lost.”
“All five of them?”
She staggered back and sagged against a tree. “I didn’t get anything. I don’t understand.” Except, she did. The only explanation was he was right: Her parents had intervened. It was mind boggling; her parents weren’t those elitist, meddling people. At least, she didn’t think they were.
“You said I could have changed your mind. All I had to do was try.” He stepped close to her, crowding her against the tree. “Well, Syd, I did try.”
The world spun and tilted. She blew out a shaky breath. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
He leaned one hand against the tree and drew his face close to hers so she could see into his stormy green eyes. “Would it have mattered?”
“Yes.”
He said nothing as he stared at her. She couldn’t figure out what he was looking for or what she should say. She wanted to turn away from the blame she saw in his angry eyes, but she desperately wanted him to understand, no, to believe that she hadn’t known about his attempts to reach her.
“I’ve spent ten years being angry at you for letting your parents talk you out of marrying me. For letting them keep me from you.”
She wanted to correct him, except now she wasn’t sure he was wrong.
“I look at you and all that hurt and betrayal is right here.” He thumped his chest with his fist.
She wanted to touch him, to soothe his hurt, but she knew she had no right.
“So why would I pay any price to kiss you right now?”
Sydney’s brows shot up. He’d crowded her the night before, true, when he was also angry and yet, she thought he’d wanted to kiss her then too. And, God, did she want him to kiss her. She was an idiot to want him still. He’d been nothing but rude to her since seeing him. And yet, just like him, she’d give anything to taste him again.
“It won’t cost you anything.” Her voice was a whisper as her heart hammered in her chest, and she dared him to make good on his desire.
“You’re wrong about that. It will cost me everything.” Then his lips crushed hers, hard, desperate, and, oh, so delicious.
Sydney had had ten long years to fantasize about kissing Mitch again. How many times had she summoned the memory of the taste and caress of his tongue? But either her memory failed her or Mitch was a better kisser than she remembered, because this kiss was like nothing she’d ever experienced. Whatever the reason didn’t matter. She focused on savoring the hot erotic sweep of his tongue against her lips. She tilted her head, opened for him, wanting more. He groaned and it vibrated through his chest, where her fingers fisted in his shirt to hold him close. He pressed against her, giving her proof that, despite his animosity, he still desired her. But she knew hormones alone wouldn’t change his mind. This was the last first kiss they’d have, and she intended to make it last as long as possible.
Mitch hadn’t wanted to kiss Sydney. Well, he had, but he knew he shouldn’t. He thought he was strong enough not to give in to the need and longing for her tugging at him. But her surprise at learning he tried to contact her had been genuine. In some ways, knowing she hadn’t purposefully ignored him softened his anger, which was probably why he was now kissing her senseless. But it didn’t erase the pain of knowing that she’d let her parents manipulate her. And while she hadn’t gotten his messages or letters ten years ago, she hadn’t tried to contact him either. So, the fact that he was drowning in the lusciousness of her lips didn’t alleviate the bitterness or make him forget his vow to never let himself be in a position to be betrayed again.
He moved closer and his hand slid down her back, pulling her against him, despite the pain and frustration touching and tasting her caused. He would kiss her, but just this once. He’d be thorough, squeezing every last bit of sweetness from her lips, and then he’d never touch her again. If he was fortunate, one kiss would be enough to satiate his desire, and he’d be able to go on with his life. As the kiss went on, however, it was clear he wouldn’t be so lucky. Each hot sweep of her tongue only inflamed his need. The sweet scent of her swirled around him until he was nearly drunk on it. Her soft breasts pressed against his chest, and his fingers ached to touch them; his mouth wanted to devour them.
He ground against her, wishing they were anywhere else so he could rip away their clothes and pound away the maddening need throbbing in his erection. His hand slid down her thigh, his fingers itching to feel her skin under her sexy summer dress, to discover if she was as hot and desperate as he was.
He heard yelling, but it wasn’t enough to pull him from this last, perfect kiss. Out of nowhere, he was knocked aside. He stumbled, but his instincts had him grabbing his assailant to restrain him. Except, it wasn’t a him, it was a her. Despite his strong hold on Julia, she thrashed around, throwing her head back. Mitch tilted his face to the side just fast enough to avoid having his teeth knocked out.
Determining it was better to let her go than get hurt in the shuffle, he released her, moving out of the way of her flailing arms. She turned and bore down on him again.
He lifted his hands in surrender. “I have no problem restraining or arresting you for assault, so you should stop where you are.”
Sydney stepped in front of him and tried to hold Julia back. “What are you doing?”
“Protecting you.” She lunged at Mitch again.
Patrick took her arm. “She’s fine, Jules.”
“You said it was all done. That he didn’t even like you anymore. What was I supposed to think when I found him pinning you to a tree?”
Sydney stammered an explanation as Patrick looked on. But to Mitch, Patrick’s concerned expression didn’t seem like worry for Sydney’s safety, but envy at what Mitch had just done. What Sydney had done back to him.
Despite the bruise Julia had given Mitch’s arm, he was glad for her interference. He knew that once the kissing was done, Sydney would want to talk about what it meant. As much as he’d enjoyed the kiss, and would have liked to take it to its next logical conclusion, he had no intention of it meaning anything.
“I’m going to leave you all to it.”
“So you’re a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am kind of guy, huh?” Julia made another move, but Patrick had a firm hold on her arm.
There was no mistaking the hurt in Sydney’s eyes as he moved away from the trio. He hated that Julia was partly right. He really shouldn’t have kissed Sydney. But it was hard to regret it. The pull that had drawn him to her when they were freshman in college, that had convinced him they were soul mates, was still there. Only he knew better now. Attraction wasn’t love. It was just hormones. The answer was to stay away from her so he wouldn’t be tempted.
He left the star tree grove without a backward glance, moving quickly, making a beeline for his truck. He gazed straight ahead, avoiding any eye contact that would slow him down or stop him all together. He’d just about made it to his destination when he heard his sister’s voice.
“Is there a fire somewhere?” Lexie trotted up to him.
Mitch swore but stopped to talk to his sister. “Got some things to take care of.”
“If you’re going to do that southern-country-boy-driving-a-truck-with-a-forlorn-heart thing, you really should get a dog.”
“Ha ha. I have no trouble with my hea
rt or my love life.” He waggled his brows for effect, hoping Lexie couldn’t see through his bravado.
“What you do ain’t love, big brother.”
Deciding he didn’t like where the conversation was heading, Mitch redirected. “Where’s the love of your life?”
“Drake’s getting me lemonade and then we’re going to the star grove.” There was a twinkle in her eye, telling him that Lexie knew he’d just been there.
“I guess I don’t need to tell you to be careful, since you’re already knocked up.”
She smirked. “Mom and dad are supposed to be by later. Why don’t you stay?”
“Got a date.” It was a lie, but maybe it would get Lexie off his back.
“I’m not even going to ask.”
“Probably better that you don’t.” He winked and got into his truck.
Mitch drove, not sure of his destination, until the Dixie Diner sign came into view. As much as he wanted a stiff drink, coffee and pie would have to do. As he walked through the doorway, he bumped into his sister’s friend, Chelsea Beemer. She held a folded apron and had the weary look of someone just getting off work.
“Hey, Mitch.”
“Chels.”
Seeing Chelsea was a reminder to Mitch that his life could be worse. Yes, he suffered heartache, loss, and betrayal, and not just from Sydney, but Chelsea had lost her brother, Brian, in Iraq and her mother from a combination of cancer and a broken heart not much after. As if the loss of her family wasn’t enough, Chelsea’s mother left her with a huge debt Chelsea was determined to pay without selling her family’s home. She did it by having two jobs; one as a teacher and the other as a waitress. He admired how she forged ahead. Despite the heartache and hard work, she always had a smile on her face. As he looked at her, tired from two jobs, he realized he wasn’t doing a very good job of watching out for her like he’d promised Brian he would.
“Are you heading to the fair?”
She nodded. “I’m going to clean up first, but I told Lexie I’d swing by.”
“Don’t wait too long. She’ll eat up all the fried Oreos.”
Chelsea beamed. “Isn’t it exciting about the baby?”
