by Codi Gary
After climbing out of the bed, she rushed to the front of the house and found Dustin standing on the other side in the early morning light. He was already dressed in a navy blue suit, blue striped shirt, and gray tie.
If he hadn’t already spotted her, she would have backed up slowly to inspect the damage on her hair.
Discreetly wiping at her mouth to check for any crusted drool trails, Rylie finally opened the door. Her gaze zeroed in on the steaming mug in his hand.
“I was coming to check on you. We’ve got to be out the door in twenty minutes.”
“I know. Sorry, I didn’t sleep well.” She pointed at the beautiful, gorgeous cup of Joe and asked, “Is that for me?”
Dustin chuckled as he held the deliciousness out to her. “Yeah, I usually take mine black, but I added a little half and half and sugar for you.”
She reached out and took the mug from him before sipping the wonderful elixir of life with a sigh. “This is perfect. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement.
Rylie realized he was giving her the once over, his grin widening even more, and figured she must look worse off than she suspected.
“I should go get cleaned up,” she said.
“Sure, I’ll just have Victoria pack you a breakfast burrito to go.”
“She doesn’t have to do that.”
He shrugged. “It’s already made. I guess I could force myself to eat another, if you really don’t want it.”
Her traitorous stomach growled loudly, and he laughed, proving he’d heard it.
“If it’s already made, I will take it. I wouldn’t want to be rude.”
He saluted her with one hand against his forehead. “I’ll see you up at the main house in fifteen minutes then. We don’t want to be late.”
She closed the door on him, and mimicked him as she walked down the hallway. “We don’t want to be late.”
Rylie set the mug down on the counter and grimaced when she saw the indentation marks on her cheeks and chin from the pillow she’d slept on.
I really need to stop worrying about what he may think of me.
She’d gotten cleaned up and dressed in record time. Sporting a blue dress with white polka dots, a wide yellow belt, and white wedges, she wrapped her wet hair into a bun on top of her head. She didn’t have time for full makeup, so she just put on some mascara and lip gloss. She’d packed a change of clothes and her tennis shoes in her large, yellow and white striped tote in case they did some more scouting today, but she needed to wear her dress. It was like a suit of armor; it made her feel strong and confident.
Which were two things she could use a boost on today.
When she walked through the door of the big house a few minutes later with her coffee cup in one hand and tote in the other, she was greeted by a short, older woman with blue-black hair and a wide smile. She was wearing an apron covered in colorful hearts over a simple T-shirt and jeans. She was not what Rylie had pictured for Dustin’s chef and housekeeper.
Was I really expecting her to look like Megan Fox and wearing a French maid outfit?
“You must be Victoria,” Rylie said, holding her free hand out to her. “I’m Rylie. Your potatoes are wonderful! I need that recipe from you!”
Victoria took Rylie’s hand in both of hers and squeezed. “Of course! I am so glad you liked them.”
“I loved them.” Rylie held up the coffee cup. “Do you happen to have a to-go cup for this?”
“Oh, yes, let me warm it up for you.”
Rylie started to protest, but Victoria was too fast. She’d already put the mug in the microwave and was rummaging through the cupboard next to the sink.
“When Mr. Kent said he was having a guest staying in the pool house, I knew you were special.”
“Why is that?” Rylie asked, surprised.
Victoria grabbed the cup from the microwave and poured it into a black travel mug. “Because none of Mr. Kent’s usual guests stay in the pool house.”
Rylie’s cheeks warmed and she took the mug from Victoria with a snort. “You don’t say?”
“Yes, but you know, it’s none of my business what the man does. That’s why I don’t say anything. Not a word.” Then, Victoria leaned over and lowered her voice. “I will say that most of the women who stay are not worthy of Mr. Kent. He is a good man.”
Rylie had seen a bit of that man yesterday, and wondered if it was truly who he was, or just another image he portrayed to others. Was he the ladies’ man? The jerk? The nice guy who offered his home to women in need?
The sound of Dustin whistling interrupted them. He stood in the doorway, jingling his keys.
“Come on, let’s shake a leg. We have a lot to do to make up for yesterday.”
“She hasn’t even had her breakfast yet, Mr. Kent,” Victoria scolded.
“She can eat on the way.”
Victoria huffed as she pulled a pan from the oven and wrapped her burrito in tin foil. She slipped it into a paper sack and handed it to Rylie. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Yes. Thank you for the coffee and the burrito,” Rylie said to Victoria.
“It was my pleasure.”
Rylie carried her treasures and tote as she walked toward Dustin, sticking her tongue out at him as she passed. His deep chuckle behind her sent a shiver down her spine and she hated it. She did not want to be attracted to Dustin Kent.
She was on a guy-hatis and needed it to stay that way.
* * * *
Dustin kept glancing at Rylie as they walked to his car. Although she wasn’t quite as done up as she usually was, she still looked great and that pin-up style dress accented all her…attributes.
He really needed to stop thinking about her like that, but it was hard. Pun intended.
Dustin finally caught on by her angry stride that she was irritated, most likely at him for rushing her out the door, and attempted to smooth things over. “I can get your bag.”
“I’m fine, it’s not heavy.”
Man, she was moodier than a bear with a sore paw. “You’re kind of a grump in the morning,”
“Yes, lack of sleep can affect my mood. It’s a normal human occurrence.”
Dustin’s eyebrows shot up at her retort. Rylie was usually so sunny it bordered on sickening.
She just broke up with her long-term boyfriend and stayed the night in a strange place. Cut her some slack.
Dustin thought about getting the door for her, but he’d have to race her for the door, since she was at least three steps ahead. He just tried for landlord-ly concern. “Was the bed uncomfortable?”
She stopped along the passenger side of his car and sighed. “No, it was very comfortable and the sheets were amazing. I just don’t sleep well in strange places.”
“Gotcha.” Dustin climbed into the driver’s side at the same time she got situated next to him. As he took the circular drive around to get out onto the highway, he glanced over at her. The paper bag containing her burrito sat in her lap, untouched. “Are you going to eat that?”
“No, I’ll wait until I get to work. I don’t want to get anything in your car.”
Dustin didn’t try to convince her it was fine; if he was being honest, he didn’t really want to clean up scrambled eggs and bacon crumbs out of his car anyway.
“I appreciate your consideration.”
“I don’t eat in my car, so why would I do it in yours?” she said.
So, she liked to keep her car clean? That was something they had in common. Dustin appreciated order and control. He’d had so little of it growing up in his father’s house. Like all his brothers before him, he couldn’t wait to escape.
Only he’d come back after the old man had died, while they’d stayed gone.
“Victoria is nice. I can understand w
hy you like having her around.”
Dustin nodded. “Yeah, she’s great. She’s been with me since I came home two years ago.”
“I’m actually surprised you came back here. I figured you’d take all that app money and settle in Aspen or New York. Somewhere a lot fancier than Sweetheart.”
It was a move he had considered, but his mom lived here. Despite his frustration over her life choices, he loved her. His brothers used to give him hell about being a mama’s boy, but he figured that his mom had been punished enough without having all her children abandon her.
“I’ve had fancy, and I figured that the people are the same everywhere. At least here I already know who my friends are.”
“Should we get back to scouting locations today? There’s only a short list for what’s available, right?” he asked.
“Yes, because they want it small and soon, so our choices are limited. I thought the second week of November would be lovely. Tie in the fall colors and décor. Pray that the weather stays mild.”
Dustin had never planned for a wedding and didn’t intend to, but it seemed like a high-profile couple like this wouldn’t be leaving all the details to two professional strangers. “I’m actually surprised that they didn’t book a venue right away.”
“They only got engaged a few weeks ago.”
“Then what’s the hurry? Is she pregnant?”
Dustin had meant it as a joke, but Rylie groaned loudly. “Please do not even suggest that to anyone else! Some of us need to work for their money.”
That stung a bit. “I did work for my money.”
He pulled into the parking lot of Something Borrowed, and parked right next to her car. When he killed the engine, she turned in her seat to face him.
“I didn’t mean that you didn’t work for your money, but you don’t have to work now. You don’t need to be at Something Borrowed, but I do. I need this commission and I just want to make sure you’re taking this seriously.”
“Of course I am.”
She gave him a curt nod before getting out of the car, leaning in before closing the door to say, “Maybe give me a few minutes head start? I haven’t told Marley I’m crashing with you.”
“Technically, you’re crashing in my pool house and not with me. If you were, we’d both be a lot happier this morning.”
She slammed his door in response and he cringed, gripping the steering wheel with tight fists as the soft, floral scent of her lingered. He hadn’t meant to say that to her, but the fact that she acted ashamed that she’d taken his offer to help stung. He’d told himself he’d stop needling her, but it seemed he was incapable of growth.
Dustin climbed out of his car and walked inside Something Borrowed. Rylie was nowhere to be seen, but that was probably a good thing. Obviously, the two of them living and working so closely was already making their tense relationship worse.
Maybe he should just ask his mom to host the wedding at the family winery. He’d resisted pulling those kind of strings, but if it kept him out of a car with Rylie today, why not?
Once he reached his office, he dialed his mother’s cell.
“Hello, darling. How are you?” she asked.
“Fine, and you?”
“I was just getting ready to head out to lunch with Bev and Carolyn. Is there something you needed?”
“I was just curious if the ballroom had been rented the first weekend in November.”
She paused briefly. “I don’t believe it is, but I would have to check my book.”
“Would you? I have a client looking for a venue and I thought it would be the perfect spot if the weather’s bad.”
“Of course, I’ll call you when I get back. Anything else new?”
Besides the fact I’m letting Rylie Templeton stay in my pool house for free?
“Not a thing, Mom. We’ll talk soon.”
“Wait, Dustin,” she cried, and he waited. “I was hoping you’d come over for brunch Sunday. It’s been several weeks since you’ve been by and I know you’re very busy, but I am still your mother. I miss you.”
Dustin grimaced at the small guilt trip. “Sure, I’ll try to make it.”
“Thank you, honey. Okay, I’ve got to run. Talk to you later. I love you.”
“Yeah, love you too. Bye.”
Dustin hung up the phone, frustrated in more than one way. Without a definite answer from his mom about Castle Vineyards’ availability, he’d have no choice but to spend the whole day in a car with Rylie. The sweet scent of her surrounding him. Watching her twitch about in that dress…
A knock on the door made him jump. Rylie poked her head inside. “Hey, you ready to roll? I’ve got five places lined up, so we need to get on the road.”
The way she leaned in gave him a generous view of deep cleavage and he almost groaned aloud.
Time to be professional and deal, man.
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
Chapter 7
Rylie’s phone vibrated on her desk for what seemed like the hundredth time that day, but she just ignored it. She already knew that the calls were coming from Asher after the first angry voicemail and she didn’t have time to deal with it.
Besides, it was almost time to leave and she was exhausted. Dustin and she had looked at three other vineyards before he’d gotten a call from his mom to let him know that the Castle Ballroom at his family’s winery was available. Once they’d gotten back to the office, Rylie had e-mailed Tonya Rolland pictures of all the venues and available dates, including the link to the Castle Vineyards website. She figured she’d let her decide, but she had a feeling Tonya was going to love Castle; it really was the prettiest venue in Sweetheart.
Now she just needed to sit back and wait for her to respond.
Of course, she could easily do that from the comfort of Dustin’s pool house, but after spending the whole day with him, she’d needed a break. Not because he’d been obnoxious or flirtatious, but because he’d been…pleasant. Even gentlemanly and…
Well, it kind of freaked her out.
Checking the time on her phone, she stood, rubbing her growling stomach. It was a quarter past six. There was a good chance she wouldn’t even bump into him if she left right now. She needed to go by the store and grab groceries; as good as that burrito was, she didn’t want to take advantage of Victoria or Dustin. She’d already gone by the bank to pull money for rent. Despite Dustin’s assurances that she didn’t have to, she couldn’t just stay there for free. She needed to pay something.
Rylie picked up her purse from the edge of her desk and headed for the door. She saw Kelly’s door closed at the end of the hall. She was probably in there with the company attorney, Christian Ryan, which was good. Rylie wasn’t in the mood to talk about anything that happened yesterday and if Kelly caught her alone, she would check up on her. Right now, Rylie just wanted some quiet time.
Rylie walked down the hall, her tote over one shoulder. She’d changed back into her dress when they’d finished looking at venues, and she had taken down her bun, letting her long hair fall in loose waves over her shoulders.
She was just about to push the door open when she saw Asher’s truck parked across the street. He was leaning against the side of it with a big bouquet of bright flowers in one hand.
Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself as she pushed open the door and headed straight to her car. Her wedges tapped along the pavement as she quickened her step.
“Rylie. Ryls! Wait a minute.”
She didn’t even look at him as she reached her car. “You need to go, Asher.”
His tone was wheedling. “I just want to talk, baby. Give me five minutes.”
“No!” she shouted, holding her tote against her front like a shield and finally looking at him. “No. I gave you three years of my life. I’m not giving you a second more.”
His face
paled. “You don’t mean that.”
“I do.”
Her whole body trembled as his cheeks flushed red, and his dark eyes narrowed. He threw the flowers on the ground at her feet, then pointed at her menacingly.
“You’re going to regret this.”
Rylie felt a rush of strength. I doubt it.
She didn’t say it aloud though. The last thing she wanted was to set him off again.
“Good-bye, Asher.”
Rylie stared him down, refusing to turn her back on him again. She waited, her calm a façade; if he could hear the pounding of her heart, he’d know she was full of it.
“Hey!”
Rylie recognized Dustin’s shout before she saw him coming out of Something Borrowed. Damn it, she’d thought he had left for the day and been too distracted by Asher to notice his car on the other side of hers.
Dustin held up his phone as Asher turned around. “I’ve got 911 already typed out and my thumb is hovering over the talk button. Just give me a reason.”
Asher snorted. “The big protector.”
Dustin’s face darkened. “I’m not playing with you. Get the hell out of here.”
Asher took several steps toward his truck, glancing back at Rylie. The dark look on his face sent a chill down her spine.
“You okay?” Dustin asked.
Rylie jumped, not realizing how close Dustin had gotten. She turned her attention away from Asher and swallowed hard, composing herself. “Yeah, I’m good. I guess I should start paying you to protect me. This is the second time you’ve come to my rescue.”
“You were handling him. I was just backup.”
“Well, it is appreciated just the same.”
“You headed home?” he asked.
Home. Weird to hear him describe it like that.
“Um, off to the grocery store first, then back to the pool house.”
Dustin frowned at her. “I’ve got food.”
“Yeah, you have food. I’m already staying at your place, I’m not eating your food. Although, that reminds me.” She rummaged through her purse and pulled out the envelope she’d filled with cash from the bank. “Here.”
