Trouble

by Tia Louise

  He’s said more just now than in the whole time he’s been with us. “Thanks, Tom.”

  “Also… it’s none of my business, but I think Miss Winthrop is a great gal. You two seem like a good match.”

  Her words are still ringing in my ears, her goodbye smarting in my chest. I haven’t been able to shake a sense of dread since she left me standing in the gallery of the court.

  Looking up at my suddenly gregarious security guard, I figure he’s as good as anyone to run this past. “Tom, you’ve been in this business a while, yes?”

  “Yes sir, seven years.”

  “Tell me, have you ever done something you thought would make everyone happy then ultimately felt like you screwed up everything?”

  His brow furrows, and he actually thinks a minute. “I’m not sure in what way you mean, but I did rescue a kitten once. I took care of it, fed it for two weeks, took it to the vet… Only to find out later it belonged to a little girl around the way who’d been crying for two weeks over her lost pet.”

  Hesitating, I guess that is a type of good-deed backfire. “I thought Joselyn would be happy about what I did. Instead, I feel like I lost her.”

  “Well, you did take off without a word. She wasn’t happy about that.”

  I blink up at him, realizing he was with them every day. “Did she say something?”

  “She didn’t have to.” He points two fingers at his eyes then turns them on me. “She has the fire that shoots out of her eyes.”

  The gesture makes me chuckle sardonically. “I should have called her.”

  “You never did?” He makes a face like I just stepped in dog shit.

  “No, I was… taking care of old business. Exorcising old demons.”

  He inhales loudly and sits on the couch across from me, with a gesture. “Do you mind?”

  “Of course not. Have a seat.” He might as well.

  “You’re a smart guy, and clearly you have a lot of money. I’m guessing you know how to make deals and handle people.”

  “Usually…” I’m pretty sure I haven’t done the right thing since a witchy redhead fell on me… however long ago it was.

  It feels like a short time ago, yet it also feels like my whole life.

  “Women like to know you’re thinking about them. They want to feel important to you, like they matter. You fucked that up, if you don’t mind me saying so, but maybe, if she really cares about you as much as it looks like she does… A grand gesture would be a good place to start.”

  “Grand gesture.” I think about all the things we’ve discussed…

  I’m not the beast or a prince or Mr. Freeze, despite what everyone likes to say.

  He stands and walks to where I’m sitting lost in thought. “What you did for Miss Shaw was pretty grand.” He pats me on the shoulder. “Maybe you could do some groveling. Women also like being reminded when they’re right, because trust me, they usually are.”

  Chapter 31

  Joselyn

  “He didn’t even try to stop you?” My mom leans on her kitchen table clutching her coffee mug of whiskey.

  Courtney and I stopped off at the Westin to collect our things and check out before driving to Fireside. She decided to wait on telling Ollie about his dad until after meeting with her therapist. Again, something Spencer arranged.

  It’s like he thought of everything but me.

  Courtney cried silently most of the drive, and I held her hand. I can’t imagine how she’s feeling, although she claims to be relieved. Still, when she and Ollie were finally together, they hugged like it had been months.

  We had a good old-fashioned dinner of fried pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn and black bean maque choux, which happens to be my mom’s specialty. Then my friend said she was exhausted, which was completely understandable. The two of them went upstairs for baths and bed, and I hung back to fill in all the details—or as many as I know.

  “He just stood there and let me walk out the door.” I exhale heavily into my coffee mug of whiskey. It has Dolly Parton on the front and the phrase “Cup of Ambition.”

  She rocks back in her chair, setting her mug, which reads “Maybe Coffee,” on the table. “I just can’t get over that. When he came by yesterday, he seemed so different. Whatever he said or did, he is not the same man I met at Daisy’s wedding.”

  “He’s always sweet around Oliver.” I frown, taking another small sip. “That’s what’s so infuriating about him. He’s incredible with Ollie. He swoops in like a superhero to rescue Courtney… and yet he lacks these basic human skills of just saying goodbye or returning my text when we’re apart.”

  My mom looks down, and I feel like I know what she’s about to say, and I close my eyes. She reads my face and stands instead, walking around to hug my shoulders.

  “I think you should all stay here a few days. Can you do that? It’s almost the weekend. Courtney’s eyes are so tired, and I’ve got plenty of room.”

  Shrugging, I stand as well. “I don’t see why not. I saw my only client for the week, and Court rescheduled most of her appointments just in case.”

  “Good.” Ma pats my arms before pulling me into a brief hug. “Go upstairs, take a nice long bath, get a good night’s sleep… And turn off your phone.”

  My eyebrow arches. I know what she’s suggesting, and I do exactly as she says.

  * * *

  “You found it!” Ms. Alice clasps her hands as I carry the big Fireside Ladies Club book downstairs. “Oh, let me see it. I don’t’ want anything to happen to this book.”

  She helps me carry it to the table, and Ma joins her bestie as they flip through the pages. “I haven’t seen this in years.”

  Daisy elbows me in the ribs, obviously pretending to be surprised. “Oh, look. You found it.”

  I pinch the skin inside her arm and she squeals. “Don’t get me in trouble.”

  She slaps my hand, and Courtney wanders in with a mug of coffee to blow my cover completely. “Hey, isn’t that the book we used to cast that protection spell?”

  Ms. Alice squints one eye and looks up at me. “Protection spell?”

  Courtney leans in closer, looking at the book. “It didn’t work. He still gave you a black eye.”

  “What?” Ma steps back inspecting my face with a horrified expression. “Who gave you a black eye? When?”

  “I’m fine, Ma, it was nothing.” I glare at Courtney to shut up. “Anyway, the spell did work. We’re all here, aren’t we?”

  Ms. Alice waves us away. “These women didn’t need spells. They had each other. It’s a powerful thing when women support one another, and we’re here to support you.”

  “Thank you.” Courtney squeezes my mom’s bestie. “You all have helped me so much through this. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it, and Ollie…” Her voice cracks, and my mom puts her arms around her as well.

  “Is a wonderful boy and so smart! Why the things he can tell you about frogs is amazing.”

  I shudder, putting my arms around the three of them. “Just keep her away from me.”

  Courtney laughs, dabbing her eyes. “Don’t forget Spencer. He was amazing.”

  Daisy scoots into the group. “What about Spencer?”

  “He was really great.” Courtney shakes her head, taking the fresh cup of coffee from my mom. “He saved me from a long trial and maybe even jail.”

  “What? How did he do all of that?” Daisy looks from her to me, and we quickly fill her in on his last-minute save in the courtroom.

  My cousin cuts me a grin. “I thought he was just looking for an excuse to spend more time with you.”

  Heat rises in my stomach, but it’s silly heat.

  Silly, wasted heat.

  “Spending more time with me was not on his agenda.” I shake my head, but Daisy’s hand goes to her mouth as her eyes widen.

  “I wouldn’t say that.” Spencer’s deep voice makes me almost spill my coffee. “Good morning, ladies. I hope I’m not interrupting.”<
br />
  I turn around quickly to see him standing inside the door, stunning as always in a tan blazer over a black shirt. His hair is messy like he hasn’t slept, and he looks like he stepped out of a magazine.

  “Sweet baby Jesus, my lady bits.” Ms. Alice fans herself, and Ma hurries around grabbing a fresh mug of coffee.

  “Spencer, I had no idea you were coming. Would you like some coffee? Alice made scones.”

  “You can have all my scones,” Ms. Alice holds out the platter.

  His eyes are leveled on mine when he answers my mom, and that silly wasted heat floods my face. “Thank you, Regina, I was hoping to speak to Joselyn if she’s available.”

  “What’s on your mind, Spence?” Daisy pipes up from her spot at the table, but he doesn’t look away from me.

  I know because I haven’t looked away from him.

  “I hoped you might take a walk with me?” He steps closer, lowering his voice.

  Swallowing the knot in my throat, I shrug. “I don’t mind walking.”

  I do not take his hand.

  Lifting my chin, I brush past him towards the front door, and Ms. Alice calls after me, “Don’t walk so fast!”

  I roll my eyes, shaking my head as I push through the door. My insides are hot and zippy, but I’m not letting him get the best of me. I’m not going back to the way things were before.

  He does a little jog to catch up with me, and for a minute we walk in silence.

  I follow the sidewalk outside Ma’s new house, which is several blocks from the house where I grew up. Eventually, we meet up with the path leading to the small wooden bridge.

  “I’m not sure where we’re going.” Spencer finally breaks the silence. “I’d wanted to go somewhere private so we could talk.”

  When we get to the bridge, I stop in the middle. I’m not taking him all the way down the path into the alcove where the palmettos grow in thick clusters. My stomach is tight, and as much as I want to take him to that place, I’m not.

  “We can talk here.” I turn to face him, leaning my hip against the railing. My arms are crossed so I don’t do anything foolish like reach out and touch him.

  He puts a hand on the railing beside me, positioning his body so it’s in front of me. The wind blows his hair forward attractively around his temples, and his clean scent of leather and sandalwood touches my nose.

  I blink away to keep from being distracted. “What do you want, Spencer?”

  “Last night I had so many things to say, but now…” He looks out over the water, and I watch the line of muscle move in his jaw. “I’m not very good at this.”

  Shifting my stance, I wait. I said all I had to say to him in the courtroom, and now the ball is in his court.

  He blinks back to me, and his eyes are tight. “I’m sorry I left that way. I didn’t do it to hurt you.”

  His words squeeze my chest, but it’s not enough. “You did hurt me.”

  “I realize that now. I was thinking about the past, my past, and the things I had to handle, doors I had to close before…” As he speaks, his gaze falls to the water again. “I wasn’t thinking about you or how it must have seemed.”

  He hesitates, sliding a hand to his hip, moving his jacket back, like he’s a model or something. My heart thumps in my chest, but I won’t help him with this.

  Clearing his throat, he straightens. “You want something I’ve never done. I can’t promise I’ll be any good at it. I can’t promise I won’t fuck it up.” Hazel eyes lock on mine. “I can promise I’ll try.”

  I blink, and a tear hits my cheek. His brow furrows, and he steps forward quickly to wipe it with his thumb. “I don’t want to make you cry.”

  “Too late,” I hiccup, covering my mouth with my hand. My chest is twisting with heat and love, and I’m trying to be firm and push back on all the emotions he’s stirring inside me. “You’re a very frustrating man.”

  “I know. I never cared before.” His voice is hoarse, and he slides a hand in his pocket. “I went to Rhode Island because I thought if I saw my dad, if I visited Drake’s grave, I might understand why.”

  “Did you?”

  “Not until I came back and saw you again. Sitting alone in that empty house last night, with only my things… I hated him. When he died, I sold everything he had so I’d never be like him, only I turned into something worse. He only hurt me. I hurt you.”

  When his eyes meet mine, they’re more open than I’ve ever seen him. He almost seems lost, like he’s in a place he doesn’t understand. “I want to change for you, Sin. I want to be the man you deserve. Is it too late?”

  Shaking my head, I rush into his arms. My face is pressed into his chest, and he holds me close. I hear him inhale deeply at the side of my head, and my heart swells so fast it hurts.

  “It’s not too late.” My voice is a muffled whimper.

  His arms loosen, and he slides his hands up my arms, holding my shoulders before cupping my cheeks and covering my mouth with his. Fresh tears fall, and I grip his sleeves as our lips part, as his tongue sweeps in and curls with mine.

  Heat floods my lower body. It’s a possessive kiss, demanding as always. He’s claiming me, but I’m claiming him right back. I pull him to me, wanting everything he’s giving me.

  Lifting his chin, his face is relaxed. He’s brighter as he exhales a chuckle. “What are you doing to me?”

  Reaching up, I slide my hand across his cheek. “I’m going to make you so happy.”

  Looking down into my face, his pretty eyes are so full of emotion. “You already have. You have no idea.”

  Our lips collide once more, pulling and chasing, tasting and nipping. My body is on fire, and I want to rip his clothes off. Too bad, we’re in the middle of Fireside, where everybody knows everybody.

  His lips move to the bridge of my nose. He kisses my forehead, then lifts my chin again, studying my face with so much love. “While I was in New Hampshire, I got you something.”

  “Is it a surprise?”

  “I have it here.” He slides a hand in his pocket and takes out a ring.

  The band is black with diamonds arranged down the sides in an art deco style, and in the center is a polished jade stone. “It’s so strange and gorgeous.”

  “Daisy said you’d like it.” He almost seems worried.

  “It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Jade stones are magical. They represent luck and happiness.” I take it at once and put it on the middle finger of my right hand tilting it side to side.

  “It’s a promise.” He covers my hands with his. “It’s my promise to deserve you.”

  Blinking up at him, I smile. “I love it.”

  He lifts my hand to his lips, and his brow furrows. He blinks a few times, and fear tightens my throat until he meets my gaze. “I love you.”

  “Spencer…” My voice breaks.

  Wrapping my arms around his neck, I close my eyes as he lifts me off my feet. We hold each other as it all surrounds us, from the first time he caught me when I fell to the day he saved me when I needed him most.

  So many times his actions said the words that are now promises. He’s my beast, my frozen savior who rescued me, but who I also rescued from a lifetime of loneliness.

  He’s the man of my dreams, the fierce, wounded prince saved by love.

  He’s the kind of trouble I never want to be without.

  Chapter 32

  Spencer

  Nine months later

  “I’ll give you two thousand dollars for it.” I’m sitting in the kitchen of my future mother-in-law’s home attempting to convince the most reluctant buyer I’ve ever met.

  “Two thousand!” Alice spits the words in disgust, like I’ve just kicked her dog. “You might be the best-looking man I’ve ever seen, but I’m not parting with the Fireside Ladies.”

  “Come on, Alice. I’ll treat it with the utmost care.” I also happen to know Joselyn loves this book.

  “This book is going in the Fireside Public Library
for future generations to learn what the founding mothers did for the beach, for women’s rights, and for each other.”

  Moving from my chair to sit beside her on the couch, I play dirty. “You know as well as I do kids these days would rather play video games than read books.” Slipping my arm around her shoulders, I lean into her ear. “How’s thirty-five hundred?”

  She does a little shiver before standing and rebuking me. “Get behind me, Satan, I’m doing this for future generations!”

  Leaning back, I cross my arms with a grin. “Would it make a difference if I told you I want to give it to Joselyn for a wedding gift?”

  Her blue eyes fly wide and she throws up both hands. “You popped the question?”

  “No, and if you spill the beans, I won’t give you five dollars for it.” I stand, speaking firmly, and she’s so short, her gray helmet of hair only comes to the center of my chest.

  “Oh, how I wish you were my grandson. He likes to pick me up, you know.” She waggles her eyebrows, but I’m still doing my best to be stern.

  “Don’t tell Regina.”

  “I won’t tell her!” She crosses her heart. “Fireside Ladies promise.”

  “Are you going to sell that book to me or not?”

  “Of course not,” she shakes her head, waving me away. My jaw tightens, and I’m about to steal the damn thing when she cuts me off. “I’m giving it to you as a wedding gift. Sly’s a founder’s daughter. She has as much right to this as I do.”

  Lifting the heavy book, she puts it in my hands, and it’s better than the best deal I’ve ever closed.

  Except for getting Joselyn to take a chance on me.

  “You’re a tough nut, Alice.”

  “You’re still wet behind the ears.” She winks, driving her pointy elbow into my ribs. “I’ve wrangled with the best of them, son.”

  It’s no wonder Joselyn stole my heart. She’s the same as this crazy town, the best kind of antique, the quirky kind that only gets better with age.