Uniformly Hot! Volume 1 from Harlequin: Letters from HomeBreaking the RulesComing Up for Air

by Rhonda Nelson

  “Shocked, I know,” Natalie supplied, popping another petit four into her mouth. There were times she could scarcely believe it as well.

  Winnie’s Bakery was the best in town and Winnie had mastered the almond-icing-to-cake ratio to absolute perfection. If heaven had a flavor, it would taste like one of Winnie’s petits fours, Natalie thought, groaning with pleasure. She licked her fingers and enjoyed her friend’s stunned reaction. She’d been so busy building her own business and becoming a responsible civic-minded adult that it had been a while since she’d shocked anybody. She’d forgotten how much she liked it.

  Furthermore, the fact that she could shock Winnie, who’d been her friend since grade school and who’d been privy to each and every one of her secrets since—with the exception of this one—was quite a coup. She and Winnie had shared lunches, shared crushes, shared heartbreak and shared more phone time than was probably physically healthy, Natalie thought with an inward smile. But she couldn’t imagine her life without Winnie.

  They had different tastes in music, men and a host of other things, but that would never change the fact that Natalie loved her friend dearly. Theoretically, were Natalie ever to snap and kill someone—there’d been a few times she’d almost launched herself across the board table at a city council meeting—Winnie would be the person she’d call to help her hide the body. It was an unlikely scenario, but the fact remained that she knew Winnie would always have her back.

  “So just how sexy were these letters?” Winnie asked, seemingly still gobsmacked. Her periwinkle-blue eyes twinkled with undisguised interest. “R-rated?”

  Natalie winced and shook her head.

  Winnie’s eyes rounded and she leaned forward and lowered her voice despite the fact that the bakery was empty at the moment, a rare occasion. “X? You’re telling me you wrote X-rated letters to Levi?”

  “I told you they were graphic,” Natalie reminded her. She slipped behind the counter and helped herself to a glass of peach tea. “And, until Lacey thoughtfully put the return address stamp on my outgoing mail and added the letter to the promo stuff, they were all anonymous.” Her cheeks puffed as she expelled a fatalistic breath. “But not anymore.”

  Winnie set the icing bag aside and dusted her hands on her lavender apron. “Maybe he won’t be able to get his mail while he’s home.”

  “He’ll make sure that it’s forwarded. Adam told me that Levi’s stuck on finding out exactly who the letter writer is.” She felt a smile roll around her lips. “He’s calling me the Mysterious Ms. X.”

  Winnie’s lips twitched. “It has a certain cachet.”

  “It’s a disaster in the making and you know it,” Natalie harrumphed. “I’ve got to get that letter back before he sees it.”

  “I wouldn’t call it a disaster, per se,” Winnie countered thoughtfully. Her messy black curls stirred beneath the ceiling fan circling overhead. “More like an opportunity, I would think.”

  Natalie blinked. “Opportunity? As in opportunity for me to be humiliated beyond words?” Even thinking about the impending moment of truth made a ball of dread the size of a softball form in the pit of her unceasingly churning belly.

  “No,” she said. “An opportunity for you to stop writing him your fantasies and live them out in the flesh.”

  Abruptly Natalie pushed away from the counter, grabbing Winnie’s toned arm in the process to propel her toward the door. “Okay, let’s go.”

  “Go where?”

  “To rehab. You’ve obviously started smoking crack.”

  Winnie chuckled and dug in her heels. “Natalie, come on. You had to know when you started writing him the letters that he might discover your identity.”

  Natalie rolled her eyes and shot her friend an incredulous look. “You know damn well I don’t ever think that far ahead.” She rubbed her temples. “I just—I just started writing him and he kept writing me back and, and…” It was the closest thing to a relationship she’d ever had or would have with him.

  And that was it, Natalie realized. Being found out would be mortifying as hell, but it was knowing that this unique connection would soon be broken that upset her the most. She’d rather have this fantasy relationship with him than nothing at all.

  It was official. She was pathetic.

  Winnie made a sympathetic moue of regret. “And you don’t want it to end?”

  “Exactly.” She swallowed, trying to make sense of her own feelings. “When he finds out who I am, it’s over, you know? No more letters. No more sharing fantasies or dreams or…anything.” She’d learned so much about him over the past few months, things she’d never imagined that he would confide in her. “It’ll be awkward and weird and things will never be the same.”

  “Does Adam know?”

  Natalie chuckled darkly. “Er…no. I confide a lot in Adam, but telling him that his brother makes me find new and ingenious uses for my massaging showerhead isn’t one of them.”

  “Natalie!”

  Smiling, Natalie shrugged with unrepentant humor. “I’m just sayin’.” She paused. “You still haven’t been by to see him?”

  Her friend winced and a flash of pain and regret darkened her blue gaze. “I—I can’t yet. I will,” she insisted.

  Winnie had carried a torch for Adam for almost as long as Natalie had for Levi. To date, though they’d been friends and competitors and were constantly one-upping each other when it came to sports, a fact that had bordered on the obsessive and provided ample entertainment, Adam had never shown any romantic interest in Winnie. Like Natalie, Winnie had dated a few guys off and on throughout high school and college, but had never settled in for what one would call a long and meaningful relationship.

  Probably because Adam held a key ingredient to any successful pairing—Winnie’s heart. Those McPherson boys had a way of unwittingly rendering every other guy insignificant. If the rumors were true, she’d been nicknamed Just-Say-No-Natalie because she routinely refused anything remotely resembling a date. What was the point, really? She’d tried to move on in college, had even given her virginity away in the process, and for what? In the end, there was only one guy for her. Her gaze slid to her friend.

  She grimly suspected the same was true for Winnie.

  Natalie smiled softly. “You need to go see him.”

  A wobbly grin formed on Winnie’s lips. “I know that, Natalie. I’m just not so sure that I won’t cry. And he doesn’t need that, you know? He’d resent me for it.”

  Adam definitely didn’t want to be pitied. Natalie had done all of her crying for his injury before he got back into Bethel Bay, and the only tears she’d shown him since were tears of joy for his homecoming. Winnie was right. Adam was damned intuitive and wouldn’t appreciate her pity. Especially from Winnie, who’d always challenged him.

  But he would appreciate her petits fours.

  “Take him a box of your goodies,” she suggested. “If you think you’re going to cry, then tell him you’ve got to make another delivery.”

  “I might.”

  She took her by the shoulders. “Do.”

  “How do you think he’s going to feel about the letters you’ve written to Levi?”

  Natalie made a moue of regret. “You mean other than ragging me mercilessly about it for the rest of our natural lives? He’ll be fine. Actually…I think he already suspects.”

  “Really? What makes you think that?”

  She grimaced. “Because I am a moron and he’s rather observant.”

  Winnie shook her head. “Er…afraid I’m not following.”

  “He noticed that my letters to him and the Mysterious Ms. X’s letters to Levi were arriving on the same day.”

  Winnie’s eyes rounded in disbelief. “You mean you mailed them at the same time?”

  “I was being efficient,” Natalie defended, nevertheless disgusted with herself. “We both know I’m incapable of being otherwise.” It was no small part of the reason she was such a good council member. She was one of those rare
people who were neither right nor left brained. She was equally strong on both lobes, which made her a bit of an oddball when it came to being an artist. Many artistic types were scatterbrained and disorganized. Not her. Even her studio was methodically categorized.

  She was sort of like Winnie, Natalie thought. Her friend’s tomboy nature and penchant for sports—softball and running, in particular—seemed completely at odds with the fact that she owned a bakery and was able to make little bits of edible heaven. Winnie was equally happy being covered with dirt or covered in icing. It was part of her charm, Natalie thought, glancing around the bakery, admiring her friend’s handiwork.

  The inside of the bakery itself looked good enough to eat. Varying shades of lavender accented with silver filigree decorated the walls, and black and white tiles lay in a harlequin pattern on the floor. Fresh flowers and whimsical accessories rounded out the quirky decor. Huge picture windows framed Bethel Bay proper, and Natalie’s heart inexplicably swelled with pride as she looked out onto the quaint cobblestoned streets.

  Hanging baskets bursting with colorful blooms hung from black wrought-iron lampposts, and the sidewalks were full of barrel planters. Begonias and marigolds marched in little regimented rows along flower beds at every street corner, and the scent of the ocean wafted in on the constant breeze. Bethel Bay was an old town and had managed to grow with the times without sacrificing its heritage.

  Thanks to a city council—one that Natalie was proud to be part of—dedicated to preserving their little burg, prime real estate still remained in the downtown area rather than being spread out along the new highway. Various tax incentives to encourage new businesses to open in the older renovated buildings had ensured that the “little man” wasn’t being squeezed out by the big box and chain stores and the result was a wonderful atmosphere for residents and vacationers alike. Slate-shingled roofs, stained glass and copper fixtures were the prominent architectural features, creating a warm, picturesque mood along the square.

  Natalie loved her little town. She’d grown up walking these streets—getting salt water taffy from the local candy store, buying her school supplies at the five-and-dime, her prom dress from Waterstone’s Formals on the corner. She’d spent her summers on the beach, combing for driftwood, building bonfires and having clambakes. She smiled. She’d spent her winters doing much of the same. This little town had shaped her life, had influenced her art. She’d built her business here and no one was more proud of her than her local “family.”

  Home, Natalie thought. Just another reason to add to a list of many for why things could never work out between her and Levi. She was invested here. Her father, her business, her very way of life.

  He was not.

  Levi McPherson was a soldier first and foremost and she couldn’t picture him ever returning to Bethel Bay on a permanent basis. And since she would never leave…well, having the “letter relationship” was the only one that would have worked.

  And the minute his forwarded mail caught up to him it would be over. She let go a sigh that felt dredged up from the very bottom of her heartsick soul.

  “So what are you going to do?” Winnie asked.

  “What any right-thinking, successful, mature woman of twenty-seven would do, of course,” she said matter-of-factly.

  “Tell him? Get the jump on him? Take the bull by the horns, so to speak?”

  Natalie looked at her friend as though she’d lost her mind, then snagged another petit four for the road and headed toward the door. She needed to drop by the studio. “Hell, no.” She smiled over her shoulder. “I’m going to avoid him. At least until I can find a way to get my hands on that letter before he does.”

  As a matter of fact, the letter getting routed through Bethel Bay might actually give her the advantage she needed. A minuscule hope, but she’d take it where she could get it.

  “LEVI MCPHERSON, as I live and breathe.”

  “Hey, Tracy,” Levi said, leaning casually against the counter. He’d waited for a lull at the post office, but knew it wouldn’t last. He needed to act fast, but imagined he’d have to go through the requisite chitchat first. “How’s it going?”

  Short and a little heavier than he remembered, Tracy beamed at him. “Great. God, it’s good to see you.” A shadow moved over her face. “Sorry to hear about Adam, though. I hope he’s doing okay.”

  Levi nodded, accepting her sympathy. “Thanks. But you know Adam. He’ll be fine. We’re just thankful that it wasn’t any worse.” Understatement of the year. They were eternally thankful he’d only lost part of his leg, rather than his life. Now the only thing that remained to be seen was whether or not he could reclaim his former way of life.

  She tossed a box into the bin behind her. “You on leave?”

  “Just for a few days. I’ve had my mail forwarded to my parents’ while I’m home, but wondered if you wouldn’t mind holding it for me here instead? I’ll come by regularly.”

  She gave him an odd look. “You don’t want a box?”

  Slightly embarrassed, Levi shook his head. “It would be sort of a waste.”

  She nodded knowingly. “You’re right. I don’t mind holding it for you at all. They’re usually finished sorting by nine every morning. I’ll keep any mail up here for you.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it.” He hesitated, looked away then found her gaze once more. “Look, this is a bit awkward, but I wondered if you could do me a favor?”

  “I will if I can. What do you need?”

  He smiled and passed a hand over his face. “I need to know who owns box 270.”

  Undisguised interest sparked in her eyes, but she ultimately frowned and shook her head. “Sorry, Levi. I can’t tell you that. It’s illegal.”

  Damn, he thought as disappointment knifed through him. He’d figured as much, but it was worth a try. He pushed away from the counter and smiled at her. “No problem. I knew it was a long shot.”

  A sly grin slid over her lips. “Any particular reason you want to know who owns box 270?”

  “Idle curiosity, that’s all.”

  She hummed under her breath, clearly not convinced.

  Levi grinned at her and, shaking his head, made his way to the door. “Thanks, Tracy. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Hey, Levi?”

  He turned.

  “I can tell you that the owner of box 270 typically checks mail in the afternoon, around fourish, I think,” she added speculatively.

  Hot damn. It was a start. He smiled gratefully and nodded. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon instead. And…thanks.”

  “Anytime.”

  Feeling marginally better now that a plan was in place, Levi pushed out onto the sidewalk and inhaled the unmistakable scent of home. Salty air and magnolias, pine mulch and seafood. The sun was sinking midway through the sky, casting shadows along the bricked sidewalk. He looked one way and then the other, trying to choose his path, when he noticed Natalie’s sign—wrought-iron and suspended from a huge piece of driftwood—hanging from her storefront just a few doors down.

  Path chosen, he thought as his feet instantly took the direction that would lead him to her door. A bell tinkled overhead, heralding his presence and, though he could hear voices in the back, no one came forward. Just as well, because he wanted to take an uninterrupted look around.

  He whistled low, impressed. Life-sized animals in various poses stood on pedestals stationed around the room. Horses—a mare and her colt. Dolphins, otters, cats and dogs. Even a wolf. Aside from being hauntingly beautiful, each piece had a…soul, for lack of a better explanation. It was as though she’d seen every one of these animals and made their driftwood counterpart.

  Utterly amazing.

  In addition to the larger pieces, shelves were full of earrings, pendants, bowls, and wind-chimes fashioned from sea glass. He carefully picked up a driftwood rabbit, inspecting how she’d put it together. Each piece of wood fitted perfectly, creating seamless lines for the animal’s limbs.r />
  Honestly, he’d known she was talented, had even admired the heart she’d fashioned for his parents for their fortieth wedding anniversary, but he’d had no idea, no real appreciation for the scope of her talent. No wonder she—

  “Dad, this is crazy—you have to go,” Natalie said, emerging from the back room. “Uncle Milton needs your help. It’s a week, not the end of the world. I’ve got plenty here to keep me busy. I can wait until you get home to go combing.”

  John Rowland ambled into view. “I know you can, girl. But we both know you won’t. Stubborn,” he muttered. “Just like your mother.”

  Unwilling to let the conversation continue without making his presence known, Levi cleared his throat.

  Natalie’s dark-brown eyes quickly found his, and the impact of those coffee-colored orbs made his legs go a bit weak. Desire, hot and fierce, bolted through him, sending a current of heat straight to his loins.

  Little brother’s best friend, he reminded himself. Inappropriate. Out of bounds. Since the Sabrina incident, the only kind of woman he dallied with was the temporary kind, and Natalie Rowland—hot and tempting as she might be—definitely wasn’t the type for the fleeting affair he typically enjoyed. And even those were few and far between.

  Furthermore, he preferred having all of his body parts accounted for and in working order—specifically his balls—and knew that his brother, who was well acquainted with his sporadic dating habits, would castrate him in a heartbeat for messing around with his friend. Besides, he had things to do.

  Like putting a real name to the Mysterious Ms. X.

  Natalie’s gaze dropped to his mouth, making his lips tingle in response. His gut constricted and his balls hardened in his briefs.

  Bad, bad idea.

  Interestingly, he could have sworn that he saw the same flash of awareness mirrored in her gaze as well. He frowned slightly, studying her.

  “Levi,” she said, a little too cheerfully. “What brings you here?”

  “You, of course. I wanted to see what you’ve been up to.” He nodded at the mare and colt. “Impressive stuff. It’s beautiful.”