Finding Haven

by Foster, T. A.

  Owen’s General Store was the biggest sponsor of the event, and all week the staff had been putting in extra hours to help the village gear up for the all-day shindig.

  It didn’t matter to Evan that Friday was supposed to be his day off. He gripped the corner of a banner and took the steps of the ladder until he was eye level with the fire station’s garage door.

  “Don’t fall,” Haven called from the ground.

  “Darlin’, I’ve got balance. Don’t you worry.” He fastened the ties to the hooks above the door. He guessed a few banners had been hung in this spot before. “How’s this?”

  “Perfect.”

  He tied the final knot and descended until he was next to Haven. Inside the fire station, the women from church were setting up tables and securing plastic tablecloths with tape.

  “What goes on in there?” He pointed to the busy women.

  Haven smiled, pulling her hair off her neck. He wanted to kiss her, but they were surrounded by a conservative audience. “Oh, that’s where they set up the crafts. Blankets, pot holders, Christmas ornaments—you know that kind of thing. I think there’s a raffle for one of those new titanium rods my dad just got in. He donated it. All the money goes to the school.”

  Evan watched the women work. It was familiar. It reminded him he needed to call home and check in on his mom.

  “I’ve been eyeing those rods all summer. I think I’ll have to buy a few tickets.”

  She released the makeshift ponytail, and her hair layered around her shoulders. Hell, he didn’t care if half of the state watched. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into his arms.

  “Hey, you two,” Nell scolded only a few feet away.

  Haven giggled and looked into his eyes. “Maybe later?”

  Begrudgingly, he let his hands fall from her hip and growled. The ladies arranging doilies started to whisper, and he knew it was a battle he had lost.

  “Jay, why don’t you help me move some of these boxes?” Nell struggled with the tailgate.

  “Hold on, hold on.” Evan rushed over to help the older woman, who couldn’t weigh more than ninety pounds.

  “I have to get back to the store for the afternoon, but I’ll come by to check on you.” Haven laughed as she pulled her bike from the fire station rack. “I think Nell will keep you busy for a while.”

  He loaded his arms with boxes, the contents a mystery, and walked into the station. “See you later, killer.”

  DENTON OWEN strolled next to Evan and patted him on the back. “Thanks for all of your help yesterday getting the festival set up.” Haven’s father spoke over the band playing.

  “Sure thing. I didn’t mind.”

  Evan liked the man. He just didn’t like his decisions and how they affected Haven.

  Most everyone had gone home mid-afternoon to clean up for the night’s festivities. There was a popular beach music band, and the street was roped off for dancing. The local crowd was reappearing one by one, freshly showered and wearing their favorite dancing shoes. Evan felt right at home in his khaki shorts and flip-flops.

  “There you are.” Maura joined them. “I couldn’t get out of the fire station until now. Hi, Jay.” She smiled.

  “Hi, ma’am.” He watched as she reached up on her toes to kiss her husband’s cheek.

  “Where’s Haven?” She peeked around Evan.

  Evan had been wondering the same thing. “She said she would meet me here.” He glanced at his watch. It was seven thirty. Fifteen minutes past when she agreed to be at the dance. “Maybe I should call her. I’ll be right back.” He left the Owens and walked toward his Jeep.

  He had parked in the store’s employee lot so he wouldn’t have to contend with traffic. Although, he had to laugh at himself. Traffic problems on the island consisted of five cars at one stop sign. It was nothing like L.A. or Atlanta traffic.

  He pulled on the handle of the passenger side and flipped the latch on the glove box. He liked life without a cell phone in his pocket. Before he could pick up the device, he felt hands slide around his waist. He jumped.

  “What the—?” He spun on his heels to find Haven wearing a smile and a sundress that showed off her tanned shoulders.

  “Scare you?” She giggled.

  “What? Me? No way.” He closed the door behind him and the space that separated them. “Come here.”

  She lunged into his arms, and he picked her up by the waist, crushing his lips into hers. She tasted like strawberries and smelled like the sweetness of the sun.

  Haven looped her hands around his waist and pressed her forehead to his. “Sorry I’m so late. I couldn’t decide on what to wear.” He felt her chest rising and falling against him. He loved it when they were close like this.

  He lowered her carefully until her flip-flops touched the gravel surface. His finger traced the neckline of the dress. There were tiny flowers on it, but he liked the goose bumps he was creating on her skin as he played with the fabric. “This one looks pretty on you.” It took serious restraint not to peel it off her in the back of his Jeep. “I was just getting ready to call you.”

  “I sent you a few texts. Why don’t you keep your phone on you?” She placed her hand into his palm as they turned toward the street.

  He sighed. “Because sometimes it’s nice to be unavailable.”

  “Except when I’m trying to call you to tell you I’m late.” She poked him in the side.

  “Yeah, except for that.” He laughed.

  The band started another number, and from their vantage point, they could see the festivalgoers pairing off to dance.

  “Are you ready to shag?” She looked at him expectedly.

  “Uh, darlin’, don’t you think we should be alone for that? Although, don’t get me wrong, I like the way you’re thinking.” They walked closer to the crowd.

  She swatted him on the chest. “No. Not that.” She pointed to the dancers. “That’s shagging.”

  Evan watched as the couples shuffled their feet together, and then rocked back on one heel. Some had more pronounced moves, while others seemed content to count out the beat almost at a standstill. It was nothing like the two-step.

  He scratched his head. “I don’t know what in the hell they’re doing.”

  “I’ve seen you move.” She winked. “Just follow my lead.”

  Before he could protest or study the steps, Haven tugged him into the center of the street turned dance floor, and locked a firm grip on his hand.

  “Ok. It’s easy. Watch my feet. One, two, three, one, two, three, and then rock back. Like this.” She showed him the simple move and paused to let him give it a try.

  This was the first time he had taken to a dance floor in flip-flops, but was pleasantly surprised that they were perfect for the steps.

  “Got it?” Her eyes sparkled as she started her first triple count.

  Evan grinned. “Baby, I was born to shag.” He matched her steps and rocked on his heel as Haven’s laughter shot out.

  “Please, no more jokes. Shagging is serious.” She zeroed in on his eyes with a mock reprimand.

  Evan pretended to shake the humor from his face. “Like this? All serious?”

  Haven spun under his arm and leaned into the crowd. “Yes. Exactly like that. There’s no laughing in shagging.” She let a giggle slip as he curled his hand around her waist.

  The band played until midnight, and they didn’t leave the festival until the last note was launched in the air. Evan was fairly certain he had danced with every woman who lived on Perry Island and a few who didn’t. He also had the chance to show off his two-step, even though he knew this crowd was partial to their beach music. He didn’t know if he had ever laughed so hard or danced so much.

  He draped his arm around Haven’s shoulder as they headed to the parking lot, his legs slightly achy from four hours of dancing.

  “Did you have a good time?” She smiled at him.

  “The best.” He kissed her on the forehead as he shuttled her int
o his Jeep.

  “Wait. What about my car?” She looked over her shoulder at her parking spot.

  “Oh, we don’t have time for that.”

  “We don’t?” He loved the puzzled look on her face.

  “No. I’ve got to get you home.” He jumped into the driver’s seat, cranked the engine, and peeled out of the lot, spewing gravel in all directions. He loved dancing with her all night, but he couldn’t wait to hold her in his arms and dance a little more where no one else could watch.

  HAD IT really been five weeks since he started working at the store? He wasn’t keeping track, but Haven had mentioned it in passing. He knew girls didn’t drop hints like that for nothing. It was some kind of milestone. She was coming over for dinner tonight, and Evan knew he needed to do something special to commemorate five weeks together, but hell if he knew what that would be. Flowers? No, that seemed too cliché. Wine and candles? No, they had done that.

  If they were in L.A., he would take her to a five-star restaurant that overlooked the canyons. In Atlanta, they could go somewhere and listen to a cool indie band. She would love all the music. More than anything, he wanted to take her to his ranch in Texas, but all three of those ideas weren’t options tonight. He needed to think of something creative, something romantic, something that would make her smile, and something he could come up with within the hour before she arrived.

  He lifted the screen on his laptop. After one of his calls with Allan two weeks ago, he realized if he was going to send out an email, he would have to find a computer on the island. He broke down, ordered one that night on his phone, and had it express shipped. More surprising than being connected to the world again was that Harry and Shug had wireless at the campground. Shug told him they had too many visitors who complained without it. It wasn’t worth the hassle to argue with them about the benefits of going internet-free. Harry had the wireless installed last summer.

  Evan typed in “romantic date ideas” and waited for the search results to pop up. He took a sip of beer and skimmed the first few articles on the screen. Everything was the same old standard stuff: dinner, movie, flowers, champagne, bubble bath. He placed the bottle on the table. One item on the list had merit. He checked the time. He didn’t know if he would be able to pull it off, but he would try. For a pretty girl with blue eyes, he would try.

  HAVEN LOOKED at the copy of the email she had printed out and folded in half. The edge was peeking out of her purse. She was nervous, over-the-top nervous, and excited. She had been waiting for this day since graduation.

  Out of nowhere, all of a sudden, Blue Steel Records emailed her. She repressed the burst of squeals that kept bubbling to the surface.

  She had made it almost to the end of the summer without hearing from a single one of her inquiries, but the persistence had paid off. She didn’t have any details or any more information other than what was in the email. They wanted to set up a call with her tomorrow afternoon to talk about a three-song contract. Three whole songs. This was everything she had waited and worked for. At four o’clock tomorrow, she would be on the phone with the label, securing her place in music history.

  Jay was going to be the first to hear the news. He would help her figure the rest out, she knew that much—he always did.

  She pulled into the Perry Campground and slowed the car to a snail’s pace. There were children playing near one of the tents, still in their swimsuits. Haven remembered those days when she would spend the entire day at the beach building sandcastles with her mom. It was a great way to grow up. But with one little email, life was sending her in another direction—far from the beach and sandcastles.

  Haven parked next to Jay’s Jeep. Before she had a chance to step out of the car, he had already opened the back door and grabbed her overnight bag.

  She laughed. “Ready for a sleepover?” She closed the door behind her, and his free arm encircled her waist.

  “You have no idea.”

  Technically, they met seven weeks ago. They had talked about the morning Jay first visited the store and laughed at the memory, but they both knew the moment things changed between them was the night of her first visit to Silver Belle. The night after they dunked each other in the creek, the night he kissed her in the dark. Haven knew it was exactly five weeks ago. A girl didn’t forget a night like that.

  “Are we having cowboy steak for dinner?” Haven looked at the fire. He had loaded it with driftwood.

  “Actually, no. I picked up take out from Sailors on the way home. I thought we could take it easy tonight.” He stepped into the camper with her bag and emerged with a glass of wine.

  “You serve wine now?” She smiled and took a sip.

  “Yep. I serve anything you like.” He brushed her hair away from her neck and kissed her shoulder.

  She loved how he was so comfortable with her, kissing her when and where he wanted, touching her because he couldn’t keep his hands off her, as if she belonged to him. It made her feel wanted. His confidence was contagious. It always brought out her bolder side.

  “I have news.” She tried to steady her voice as she followed him to the fire.

  “You do? What is it?” He looked at her expectedly.

  “I got a contract!” She finally squealed. “I just read the email before I came over.”

  “Congratulations. That’s awesome.” He wrapped her in a hug and kissed her forehead. “That’s really great.”

  She inhaled the hug, feeling the warmth in his arms. This moment felt surreal.

  “I knew someone was going to pick up your songs. You’re a natural.” He beamed.

  “I’m really excited. They asked me to call in tomorrow at four to go over the details. I don’t think I can wait that long.” She bit her lip.

  “Darlin’, it’s not that far away.”

  “But, I’m so nervous and what if I screw it up? What if I say the wrong thing? I’ve never had a contract call before. You know, I don’t even know what three songs they are interested in. I’ve sent so many, I’ve lost track which label has which song.” She downed the rest of the wine in her glass and handed it to Jay.

  He took the glass and placed it on the table. “You aren’t going to screw it up. We can talk about it and figure out what makes sense for you before you get on the phone.” His eyes flickered from the firelight.

  “Really?”

  He shook his head.

  “Ok, ok, that sounds good.” The offer was a relief. She had no idea how to approach a business call. The music came naturally, but all the rest was like sailing without a map. She paced in front of the fire, all of the questions about tomorrow’s call swirling in her head.

  “Are you going to sit?” He watched her circle the chairs.

  “I can’t. I’m too nervous. I was fine, and then I started thinking about it and I’m—”

  Jay stood from the chair, tucked one arm under her knees, and lifted her against his chest.

  “What are you doing?” She searched his face for an answer, but he ignored the question and headed straight for the Silver Belle door.

  He slammed it behind him with his foot and released her from his hold, only to press her against the closest wall. His hands tangled in her hair, his mouth hot against hers.

  She groaned as he pushed her thin shirt up, and his fingers slid under the lacy edge of her bra. She had seen bedroom eyes before, but the look he gave her made her legs feel shaky. These were I’m-taking-you-up-against-the-wall eyes. If he didn’t keep her pressed against the wall, she would fall into a heap on the floor. His lips were firm against her neck as he trailed along her collarbone.

  “Tell me,” he growled.

  She knew what he wanted to hear, but she just wanted him to do it. Make her feel alive, consume every part of her.

  He pinned her wrists above her head, slamming them against the wall. “Tell me, what you want me to do.” His other hand rolled over her nipple, and she bowed from the wall, wanting to absorb the intensity.

  “Take m
e,” she breathed in her ear.

  “Here?” He pressed his waist against her, and she could feel his want for her. She loved it.

  “Yes.” She nodded. “Right here.” Was that her sexy and seductive voice, begging him to fuck her against the wall?

  “I want you so much.” He groaned as if she was the one torturing him, not the other way around.

  His mouth descended on hers as he released the button on her shorts. She wiggled until they were touching the tops of her feet, where she could kick them away.

  He freed her hands only for a hurried second to slide the tank top off her body and toss it to the floor. A devilish grin spread across his face before pinning her where he wanted her again.

  “You know I love your body.” He growled as he kissed the top of her breast. She turned her head to the side, trying to steady herself, but she felt like she was melting into the wall with each lash of his tongue. He pulled the lace over each nipple so that they were exposed, ready for him. His tongue circled one, and then the other. Each lick shot heat between her legs. Haven arched into the wall, jutting forward and giving more of herself to him as he sucked and bit against the sensitive skin.

  There was no thinking, only bursts of heat and want. Behind the darkness of closed eyes, she drifted into his hands, into his control. He nudged her wrists higher against the wall, reached below, and unfastened his shorts. A powerful tug brought her thigh around his waist, securing her heel against his backside.

  He smiled as his lips came within a breath’s reach of hers.

  Raking her teeth over her bottom lip, she tried to keep the whimpers at the back of her throat. If he didn’t take her now, she would scream. Scream for him to possess her and fill her.

  As if he knew he had pushed her as far as she could go, he shifted between her, nudging her legs to spread for him. A ragged moan escaped her lips as she waited for him.

  “Please,” she cried out, and her eyes begged him to devour her.

  “You’re so damn beautiful.”

  Gripping hard on her ass, he thrust into her with command and abandon. His breath on her neck was hot and rapid as he relentlessly surged through her repeatedly. There was only one spot she had control, and she tightened and clenched around him every time he rocked deeper, matching his intensity with her own. Damn, he felt amazing. Slight trembles split through her. She knew she was at the boundary of spiraling over the edge. The boundary that would make her quiver and scream until she couldn’t feel her toes.