Island Dreams (Wildflower B&B Romance Book 2)

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

  “Nothing, but you were hanging on as if you were trying to squeeze the life out of me. I can’t imagine you taking an ATV up and down this hillside daily once your cabin is built.”

  “Very funny.” Her cheeks burned.

  He looked pleased with himself. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining. I’d be nuts to complain about a beautiful woman holding onto me as if her life depended on it.”

  She laughed this time. “My life did depend on it.” The rest of his comment hit her. He thinks I’m beautiful? That was not the word people usually used to describe her. Generally it was twig, or stick. Of course Devon said she was lovely. He’d probably lied to get her to share proprietary information, and she fell for it. She shook her head. But Chase had no reason to lie. Maybe he really did think she was beautiful.

  “Hey, you okay?” Chase stepped off the ATV and rested a hand on her arm. “You look like you’re in shock. Maybe you should sit.”

  She blinked and focused on him. Her arm tingled where his hand rested. “No. I’m fine. I had an ah-ha moment, and it threw me.”

  He tilted his head. “You sure?” Concern etched his eyes. He brushed her hair away from her face and rested the back of his hand on her forehead. “Your temperature feels normal.”

  She swatted his hand away with a chuckle. “I’m fine.”

  “Okay. In that case, should we head down and check out the building site?”

  “Good idea.” She straddled the seat behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist once again. They surged forward before turning and heading down. If she wasn’t so intent on seeing the property, she’d close her eyes and rest her head against his muscled back.

  They finally reached the bottom and the terrain leveled out. His hand enveloped one of hers. His thumb ran back and forth across the top of her hand sending shivers up her arm. She was in big trouble.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chase glanced at Piper as she sat in the passenger seat of his pickup. She wore a contented smile, her body totally relaxed. He could understand why she was smiling. Everything she wanted was happening.

  It would only be a matter of time before they broke ground on the resort, and he truly didn’t mind. Having Piper on the island again felt good. He couldn’t explain why except that he enjoyed her company. As much as he loved living here, it was also lonely at times. There weren’t many people his age, and he had little in common with most of the islanders.

  Nick was the closest thing he had to a friend, and he was new to the island. Funny thing was he didn’t know he was missing a social life until Piper showed up. Now he wanted to be with her as often as possible. He still couldn’t believe he’d let it slip that he thought she was beautiful. Which was kind of funny since he’d not thought of her in those terms until yesterday. Her reaction to his words is what stuck out the most in his mind. He could tell the moment what he’d said registered. Boy had he surprised her, but not any more than he’d surprised himself.

  The only problem now was his conscience nagged at him. He needed to come clean about being the one who had made the offer for the property.

  He cleared his throat. “There’s something I think I should tell you.” He glanced her way again and noted she was intently replying to a text. No matter, his admission could wait. It wasn’t like anyone on the island would tell her before he could.

  She rested her hand over her phone. “I’m sorry about that. You were saying there’s something you needed to tell me?” Her cell played Flight of the Bumblebee. “It’s my dad. I should take this.”

  “No problem. We’ll be back at the B&B in a few minutes anyway.”

  Her face brightened. “Hi, Dad.”

  Chase tried not to eavesdrop, but under the circumstances it was impossible.

  “Yes, everything is going fine so far. I applied for the permits a couple of hours ago and have hired the same company we used on that hotel job in Bellevue.”

  A deer darted across the road. Chase slammed on the brakes.

  Piper braced a hand on the dash but other than that didn’t even acknowledge the near miss. He turned onto the driveway of the B&B and parked several seconds later. Piper still talked shop with her dad. He got out when he spotted Nick alongside the house watering flowers with a hose. He loped over to him. “Hey.”

  Nick glanced his way, a grim look on his face. “What’s up?”

  “Not much. I’m dropping Piper off. You okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  He didn’t buy his friend’s answer. “I saw Zoe on the ferry this morning. You missing her already?”

  Nick shrugged. “Yeah. She went to Portland, and I’m afraid she will run into her ex fiancé while she’s there.”

  “So what if she does. He’s an ex for a reason. Right?”

  “True, but it’s not as simple as that. He is the reason she left her life behind and came here. She was hurt and running.”

  Alarm bells went off in Chase’s head. “I know it’s none of my business, but if you need to talk…”

  “I’m fine,” Nick sounded defeated. “I’m just concerned this trip will stir up old feelings. I don’t want her to call off our wedding.”

  Chase raised both hands. “Whoa. That’s quite a leap. She’s visiting a friend about your wedding cake. I don’t think you need to be worried about her ex.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right.” The tension on Nick’s face eased. “Thanks for talking me out of my negative thoughts. I keep thinking something is going to happen to stop our wedding, and I guess I let my imagination run amuck.”

  Chase chuckled and clapped his buddy on the shoulder. “We all do every now and then. Glad I was here to help.” They walked around to the front of the house. Piper still sat in the cab of his pickup.

  “You want something to drink? Daisy should have the afternoon tea set out.”

  “I don’t like tea.”

  Nick grinned “Me either. That’s why I always insist on a carafe of ice water too.”

  “Sure. Water sounds good. Piper and I have been hiking.”

  “Where?”

  “Her land. She has it in her mind to build a cabin on a ridge that faces the Sound.”

  “You’d like it if she stayed.” It wasn’t a question.

  Chase nodded. “She’s full of surprises, and I find her interesting.” Not to mention attractive and fun. But what would she think of him once she found out his secret? He followed Nick inside to the dining room. Funny, he’d been at the house a lot recently right around tea time. If he kept it up they might start charging him. He was surprised that only one guest stood at the table loading up a plate with sugar cookies.

  Nick poured two tall glasses of ice water and handed him one. “Daisy made the cookies. Eat them at your own risk,” Nick muttered under his breath.

  “Seriously? I thought Zoe trained her.”

  “She did.” They ambled out to the front porch. “But after eating what Zoe makes and then an amateur’s, it’s a disappointment. Even guests have noted the difference. I honestly don’t know what to do.”

  “I take it the guy filling up on sugar cookies never tried Zoe’s cooking.”

  “He did. Not everyone is picky, I guess.”

  “I have a suggestion.”

  Nick’s gaze shot his way. “Speak up, man. I’m desperate.”

  “Let Zoe cook and Daisy clean. She can clean right?” He sat in one of two rocking chairs.

  Nick eased down beside him. “Yes. It was rough going at the beginning, but she’s come into her own, and she’s very efficient.”

  Just then Piper slid out of his pickup and jogged up the stairs. “I’m sorry about that, Chase. My dad had a lot to discuss with me.”

  Chase stood. “No problem. Do you have dinner plans?”

  She shook her head.

  “You’re welcome to come over to my place. I’m grilling fish.”

  She shot him a dazzling smile. “That sounds better than the peanut butter and jelly sandwich I’d planne
d.” They firmed up the time then she darted inside.

  A few minutes later Piper reached toward the screen door to speak to Chase before he went home, but stopped. Nick and Chase still sat on the B&B’s front porch, talking about the resort. She’d love to know their honest thoughts.

  “Did your company win the bid for landscaping?” Nick asked.

  “The announcement hasn’t yet been made. My business partner will be furious with me if we don’t get it. Caleb believes Piper will be biased because I tried to stop her from developing the land.” He groaned loudly. “I didn’t mean to reveal that. I wanted to tell Piper first.”

  “I won’t say anything, but how did you do that?”

  Piper leaned closer to the screen. She wanted to know too. To her way of thinking he hadn’t done anything except refuse to support her. After what he did to get the project approved, she considered that ancient history.

  “I put an offer on the property.”

  “You tried to buy the land?” Nick’s voice rang with surprise. “I didn’t know your pockets were so deep.”

  “They aren’t, but it didn’t stop me from trying. That doesn’t matter now. I had a change of heart and withdrew my offer.”

  Piper caught her breath and yanked back from the screen. She’d known Chase didn’t want the development to take place, but to stoop so low as to make an offer for the property surprised her. Why hadn’t he said something? Chase continued to talk to Nick, but she couldn’t stand there a moment longer.

  She trotted up the stairs to her room and shut the door. Disappointment and hurt pressed in on her. She couldn’t very well tell Chase she’d eavesdropped on his conversation. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich sounded better than spending the evening with a liar. She’d known he was against the development to begin with, but why keep his offer on the property a secret? She had no tolerance for deception.

  Dad had guessed someone with an interest in the island had made the offer, but Chase? Betrayal left a sting in her heart. This was like Devon all over again, except this time her heart wasn’t involved. Or was it?

  Chase put the finishing touches on the salad he’d prepared, then pulled the lasagna from the oven. Piper should have been here fifteen minutes ago. Had she changed her mind about coming? But why would she? They’d had a pleasant afternoon together, and he had a nice evening planned for them that included a moonlit walk along the beach. He checked the oven clock once more.

  A knock sounded on the door. He stepped over and pulled it open. “Hi. I was beginning to wonder if you were coming.”

  Piper’s usual smile was absent as she entered. From the entryway, her gaze swept around the open floor plan of his home. “You have a nice place.” She thrust a foil wrapped plate at him. “Nick said there were too many extra cookies and asked me to give these to you.”

  An odd gift since he’d warned him against eating them. Maybe he didn’t like tossing food out. “Thanks.” Chase motioned to the table not far from the entrance. Something wasn’t right with Piper tonight, and he aimed to discover what. “Dinner is ready.”

  “Okay. It smells good. What is it?”

  “Lasagna. I hope you don’t mind the menu change.”

  She tilted her head slightly. “Lasagna is my favorite.”

  Score one for him. “After you.” He motioned for her to go before him.

  She marched to the table without even a glance at him.

  Unease wrapped its tentacles around him. He’d never seen her behave so distantly. There might as well be a moat around her. He pulled out her chair then seated himself to her right at the round table.

  Piper bowed her head. He offered a blessing for the food. “Dig in. Let me know what you think. It’s an old family recipe.”

  She took a tentative bite. “Not bad.” She sounded surprised. “If I can’t convince Zoe to cook at the resort restaurant maybe I’ll hire you,” she teased.

  Now there was the Piper he’d grown to like and enjoy. He grinned. “What did she say about that?”

  “Nothing because I haven’t asked her. I had planned to today, but it didn’t work out.”

  He took a bite of the pasta. Not as good as his mom’s, but close. “Have you gone over the landscaping bid?”

  “I have.” Her brow scrunched.

  “And?” What was the deal with her tonight?

  “And I haven’t made a decision yet. I’m impressed by your bid, but there is stiff competition regardless.” Her words were clipped as though she were angry.

  He placed his fork down and watched her a moment. Something was definitely off with her. “You’re not yourself tonight. Is everything okay?”

  She shot him a startled look then resignation filled her eyes. “I overheard you and Nick talking on the porch this afternoon.”

  He knew immediately what she’d heard and why she’d turned icy.

  “I wish you’d told me,” she said softly. Disappointment and hurt filled her eyes.

  “I’d planned to earlier, but your dad’s call came, and then I didn’t get another opportunity. I’m sorry you found out that way. Does this change things between us?”

  She shrugged. “I’d like to say no, because I was beginning to think of you as a good friend, and not simply a job contact.” She pressed her lips tight then shook her head. “Maybe that’s why I feel betrayed. You could have at least told me what you were up to. I can be so stupid.” She pushed her chair back and stood. “I don’t know why I thought you were my friend. I’ve met men like you before, even dated one. Actually it was worse than that. I loved him.” She looked to the ceiling. “I really should wise up. You’d think I’d have learned my lesson. Everyone wants something, right?”

  He stood and stepped toward her. “I’m lost. What do you think I did?” Making an offer on the property wasn’t a crime, and it certainly wasn’t a betrayal toward Piper.

  She paced to the window that faced the Sound. He could see her reflection and the turmoil written on her face. It was his fault she felt like this, but why? It didn’t make sense. Was she really this upset because he didn’t tell her he made an offer on the property?

  His stomach knotted. He cared about Piper and didn’t want her hurting. “I’m sorry for not telling you. I thought by remaining anonymous it would spare your feelings, and we could continue getting to know one another. Please don’t let this come between us. Like you said, we have, or at least had, the start of a good friendship.”

  If he were completely honest he’d tell her he hoped for more, but her stance silenced him. If he thought she wouldn’t deck him, he’d pull her into his arms and kiss her until she forgot her anger with him. But based on the stormy look reflected in the window, she’d welcome his kisses about as much as a bee sting.

  She whirled around facing him. “How can we be friends after what you did? I can’t trust you, and I must be able to trust my friends.”

  He ran a hand over his face and stepped closer to her. “Please believe me when I say that is the only thing I kept from you. And remember, I supported you by getting the town council to meet with you. If it wasn’t for me you wouldn’t even be here. The project would be dead before it even started. Are you really this upset over me not telling you I was the one who made the offer, or is there more?”

  “That’s all well and true, but it doesn’t change the fact that you weren’t honest with me.” She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, ignoring his question.

  “I never lied to you. And I had every intention of telling you, but every time I tried we were interrupted.”

  “Do you realize how close I was to losing this project because of your ridiculous offer?” Her eyes sparked with anger. “My dad was this close to selling the land.” She held up her fingers pinching them together.

  “I didn’t know that, but my offer was not ridiculous. The land here has not grown in value much due to the inadequate ferry service. We need about twice as many runs to lure families and businesses here. Plus the cost to ride the ferry is
high. Land on the island isn’t worth as much as you’d think.”

  “I’m well aware of the market value.” Her face softened a little. “Maybe ridiculous was an exaggeration, but it wasn’t market value either.”

  “At least we agree on that.” He couldn’t afford the going rate but had instead made his best offer. Thankfully he’d had the sense to withdraw it. Otherwise, she’d be out of his life forever, and that was something he couldn’t accept. One way or another he had to convince her to forgive him.

  “Whatever, Chase.” She grabbed her purse. “I should have stuck with my original plan and not shown up.” She dashed to the door.

  He raced after her, but she was too fast. She slammed the Jeep’s door and peeled away.

  “Well that didn’t go well.” He hadn’t missed that she’d ignored the part where he asked her if there was something else that was causing her to be angry with him. His gut told him he was missing something important, and he determined to find out what.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Saturday morning, Piper strolled down the stairs in search of coffee. She’d overslept and missed breakfast. A huge loss, to her way of thinking. Ever since she’d started imagining the resort, she’d pictured a Manhattan-like restaurant that only served dinner. But after experiencing so many exceptional breakfasts the idea of offering a breakfast special with the rooms percolated.

  The thermal coffee carafe sat on the sideboard. She picked it up and sighed. “Empty.” Horrible singing sounded from the direction of the kitchen. Could that nasty sound actually be coming from Zoe? She tiptoed to the swinging door and peered through the crack on the hinge side. Sure enough it was her. Good thing the woman could cook because she sure wouldn’t make it in the lounge. Piper pushed the door forward. “Knock-knock.”

  Zoe whirled around from the sink. Her yellow gloves dripped with suds and water. “Hi, Piper. Can I help you with something?”

  “I was hoping for a cup of coffee, but there’s none left in the carafe.”