Tempting Love on Holly Lane (Island County Book 5)

by Karice Bolton

  “Okay,” I nearly whispered. “If you want to stop by my sister’s house on turkey day, you’re more than welcome.”

  “Thanks.”

  “No, thank you.” I grinned. “I love my chair.”

  He looked like he wanted to say something else, but instead, he took a deep breath and kissed the top of my head.

  “I love that you love it.” He turned around and walked down my steps. “See ya around.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “Do the gods hate me?” my sister squealed into the phone.

  “Just take a deep breath,” I told her, having no idea what could have gone wrong so early in the morning on Thanksgiving. “The gods don’t hate you. They love you, which is why Nick knew of a way to keep the parents entertained yesterday.”

  She groaned. “This is bad.”

  “Did you accidentally season Muppet and put her in the oven?”

  My sister laughed. “No.”

  “Then everything’s going to be just fine.”

  “A pipe broke and my kitchen is flooded.”

  I froze. She’d done so much to her cute little kitchen—new floors and cabinets.

  “I’ll be right over.” I almost hung up on her, but she stopped me.

  “I’ve already got the water turned off, and some twenty-four-hour emergency service is here vacuuming up the water and getting the fans in to dry it out.”

  “I’m so sorry. What can I do to help?”

  “Mom and Dad are out on a walk with Muppet.” There was silence. “Can we have Thanksgiving at your place?”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Do you want me to come over to help bring the food over to cook?”

  “Nah. We can handle it, but I have to bring the bird.”

  “Well, of course you have to bring the bird. I’ll cook it at the house.”

  My sister giggled. “Not that bird. That’s a given. Muppet. With all the doors and windows open and the fans going, Muppet would probably get sick.”

  I wasn’t heartless. I actually loved animals. I didn’t even mind Muppet. I just didn’t understand how my mom was acting around the bird.

  Maybe Nick was more right than I knew.

  “No problem. Whatever you need help with, I’ll do it. I’ll go make a place in my bedroom for the bird. That way we can shut the door.” I took in a breath. “But are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  I heard my mom’s voice in the background, followed by a squawking mess.

  “I’ll let you go. Come on over. I’ll be ready and waiting to cut celery and chop nuts, but I’m still in pjs.”

  “Okay. See ya soon.”

  “Love ya.” I hung up and looked around my little place.

  Truth be told, I was kind of excited to host my first holiday. I wish it wasn’t because my sister’s kitchen experienced a tidal wave, but it would be fun—Muppet and all.

  I went into my bedroom, moved the cot to the wall, and shoved a few boxes into the closet. I didn’t want birdseed to get in my sheets or work its way into the boxes of clothes I still needed to unpack. I scanned the mostly empty room. It looked sad but fine for Muppet. Maybe I should bring a radio in for the cockatoo. I definitely needed to make this the next room I concentrated on.

  The bedroom window faced the front of the house, and I had an urge to look out the window toward Nick’s place. I stood on my toes and tried to see his house through the trees. I was actually surprised to see part of his roofline behind the workshop. I craned my neck and saw his truck in his driveway. I wondered when he’d be headed to Natty’s house. It was nice that they had such a tight group of friends. I’d never really experienced that before. I guess that was why it was so easy to leave it all behind in New York.

  I walked into the living room, turned on my stereo, and Heaven is a Place on Earth blared through the speakers.

  My shoulders sagged. I really was stuck in the eighties.

  But who cares?

  I started singing at the top of my lungs as I tidied up my kitchen and got all the pots and pans that we might need out of the cabinets. My job had been to make the pumpkin pie, which I did last night, but I still had all the bowls left in the sink to clean, and then I’d be ready for the family.

  I boogied my way to the sink with Belinda Carlisle singing with me, and I felt worlds away. As I scrubbed the dirty dishes, I thought about how much my life had changed. After getting let go from my job, I walked away from it all. New York was full of possibilities in the same line of work I specialized in, but I didn’t care. I wanted out.

  The problem was that I didn’t know what I wanted to do next. Did I just want to spend my time at the tea shop with my sister or did I want to try something new?

  But what would I even do? The idea of setting up a little investment service company on the island had popped in my head, but that wasn’t exactly something I was itching to do.

  I glanced over at my chair. Nick was lucky. He had a passion. He knew what he liked to do and he did it. I didn’t have a clue about what I might like to do. All I did in New York was work, sleep, go out with a few coworkers now and again, and start the cycle all over again.

  Yeah. There was a reason why I knew to leave that life behind.

  I let out a groan as I dried off a bowl.

  “Belinda Carlisle?” my sister asked, and I nearly dropped the bowl in fear. “That’s not very holidayish.”

  “You scared the crap out of me.” I laughed, my heart hammering in my chest.

  “Well, you didn’t exactly answer our knocks, so I used your spare key.” She set a huge cardboard box on the counter with all kinds of bags of things inside and grabbed the stereo remote to turn down the music.

  “Where’s Mom and Dad?” I asked, drying off my hands.

  “Dad’s bringing in the floral arrangement and Mom’s bringing in Muppet.”

  “Yay.” I chuckled.

  “Wait until you see the design Natty came up with for the flowers. Mom loved it. If she could get one sent to herself every week, I think she would.” Maddie grinned.

  “Happy Turkey Bird Day,” Dad said, coming through the door with a monstrosity of an arrangement.

  “It looks nothing like what Natty usually creates,” my sister assured me.

  “But it’s perfection for Mom.” I nodded, staring at the arrangement. How my dad even made it inside without tripping, I didn’t know.

  The piece was probably three feet long and was just as tall in the center. A pillar with an ivory candle atop had jewels in autumn colors dripping all around and orange, red, and yellow flowers sprang to life. It was gaudy and over the top.

  “Is that a miniature bird cage?” I asked, squinting my eyes as Dad placed it in the center of my dining room table.

  “That it is.” Maddie laughed.

  My mom came in with a quiet and grateful looking Muppet on her shoulder. The birdcage was in her left hand, but she came over to hug me with her right. Muppet eyed me funny, and I got a taste of what my father’s been dealing with.

  “Isn’t that the most beautiful arrangement?” my mom asked. “A lot of talent seems to live on this island.”

  “Does seem that way.” I nodded in agreement. “I made a place for Muppet in my bedroom. The room is pretty much empty because I haven’t had time to fix it up, so don’t judge.”

  “Would I ever do that?” my mom asked innocently.

  “No. Never.” Maddie chuckled as my mom followed me down the hall and into the mostly bare room.

  “I thought you could put her in the corner so she could still see out the window.”

  “That’s a perfect spot,” my mom agreed, setting down the birdcage.

  I glanced at her, surprised, since I expected her to put up a fuss about Muppet’s location.

  “So did you like the boat trip?” I asked. I worked in the shop all day yesterday, and it was actually swamped so I hadn’t heard about anything since Tuesday.

  “Your sister didn’t tell y
ou?”

  I shook my head.

  “We loved it. We actually spent the night on it last night.”

  I studied my mom, realizing she looked absolutely refreshed and less frantic about life.

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “Your friend, Nick, certainly is thoughtful.”

  I stared at her, bewildered.

  “The boat ride was completely romantic. Red roses, candles, a violinist to serenade us through the evening . . .”

  “Really? I had no idea.”

  “There was a chef who made us dinner, and the captain left, never to return. The boat had been reserved for us overnight. I didn’t even know you could do that. Such a quaint spot you live in.”

  My mind spun wildly from what my mom relayed. How in the world did Nick plan all this for my parents?

  And why?

  “You were okay with leaving Muppet at Maddie’s?” I asked.

  My mom nodded. “I think I’ve been spending too much time with the bird. It’s taken over my life.”

  “You don’t say,” I teased.

  “Sometimes, love isn’t perfect, and after this many years together, it’s nice to have a reminder of what brought us together in the first place. Anyway, we signed up for another tour on Saturday.”

  “Really?” I owed Nick big time.

  “Sure did. Do you know what Dad told me last night?”

  “What?”

  “He thought I was paying attention to Muppet to get back at him for all those years he spent traveling for his job.”

  “Well?”

  She let out a sigh. “I think he might be right. How ridiculous is that?”

  I shrugged. “It sounds like communication is opening up again between you two.”

  “More than that.” My mom smiled and I cringed.

  “I love you, but I don’t want to know or hear about that.”

  She grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Dad even mentioned moving up his retirement date so we could do a trip across Europe.”

  “What would you do with Muppet?” I asked.

  “Oh, Muppet would be taken care of. I’m sure I could find a pet sitter for the house.”

  “You’ve got plenty of time to plan,” I assured her.

  We walked back into the main room, where Maddie was already chopping away on celery, when I saw Nick making his way down the driveway.

  A jolt of excitement spread through me as he walked up the steps and knocked on the door. This wasn’t how a person should feel over a friend wandering over.

  “Were you expecting someone?” my mom asked.

  “No, but it looks like it’s Nick.”

  “Oh, good. I can’t thank him enough.” My mom had a dopey grin on her face as I opened the door.

  Nick looked sensational in a wool tweed sweater and slouchy, worn jeans. His brown eyes caught mine for a second before he glanced at my flannel pajamas that I forgot I was wearing and sheepishly tried to cover up.

  “You’re certainly a hit with my parents. I can’t believe you did all that for them.”

  The smile grew, and he nodded. “I’m glad they enjoyed it. My friend specializes in theme cruises, and I thought a little romance was in order. I just wanted to drop by and make sure it all went okay.”

  “More than okay. It’s like a magical fairy dust was sprinkled over my mom, and I couldn’t imagine a better gift for Thanksgiving. So, what time are you headed to your friends’ for turkey?”

  “Sophie and Natty both caught the flu. They’re still doing the whole thing, but I really don’t feel like coming down with the plague, so I’m spending a nice, quiet evening in with a Cornish game hen. I thought you were going to your sister’s?” He glanced at my dad and mom inside.

  “Her pipes broke and her kitchen is a mess, so we’re doing turkey day here. Why don’t you join us?”

  I felt my family’s eyes on us and stared pleadingly at Nick. He looked over my shoulder and brought his gaze back to mine.

  “Really?”

  “I’d be forever in your debt,” I told him.

  “When you put it that way.” A mischievous glint in his eyes made my stomach flutter. “Should I come back later, closer to dinner?”

  “Nah. Now’s as good a time as any.” I grabbed his wrist and yanked him into my house without giving him any reason to back out.

  “Nick, thanks for planning that cruise.” My dad stood up from the table. “It was exactly what the doctor ordered.”

  “Dad’s even talking about retiring a couple of months early.” I grinned.

  Nick looked completely at ease, and I swore I saw relief dash through him.

  “That’s great.” Nick nodded, his eyes landing on the floral arrangement. “Where did you get this?”

  “Natty did it. Custom order to suit my mom’s taste.” Maddie said, dotting each word, giving him fair warning.

  “It’s quite something,” Nick said, nodding. “Spectacular. Definitely captures the spirit of the season.”

  My dad held in a chuckle as I went to help my sister in the kitchen.

  “Do you ever think the world has an incredible way of working out?” my sister asked as my eyes welled up with tears from the onion.

  I looked over my breakfast bar at Nick, who was talking to my father about woodworking, as my mom stared at them both with a silly look on her face. I’d never imagined our Thanksgiving to work out like this, but I was grateful for the man who seemed to make it happen.

  Nick’s eyes connected with mine, and I knew behaving around him was going to be extra tricky, but it was a necessity. He was a great guy and a loyal friend, but not boyfriend material, and I knew I’d fall for him hard because I already had.

  Chapter Thirteen

  It was the day after Thanksgiving, and I woke up with a pounding headache, stuffed-up nostrils, sore throat and nausea. I groaned into the cot and heard a hiss as the thin air mattress deflated with me still on it.

  Wouldn’t it figure?

  I blinked open my eyes and noticed it wasn’t even light out yet. I let out a huff and stretched my arms, but every muscle ached so I snuggled back under the covers on the wobbly cot.

  My lips were all crusty from breathing out of my mouth all night, and I just felt like a wreck.

  I was supposed to be to work at ten to prepare for Black Friday, but I couldn’t imagine anyone being thrilled about me scooping tea leaves for them in my condition. A cough erupted from my lungs and I sat up, hacking my lungs out.

  Ugh.

  I hoisted myself off the floor and shivered from the chilly air. I made my way to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, loaded and lit the fireplace, and made myself a pot of coffee before sinking into my favorite chair.

  Pulling a red chenille blanket around my shoulders, I sniffed in and then sneezed. I needed to let my sister know I wouldn’t be in. I picked my phone up from the coffee table and texted a quick message, along with a photo of how wretched I looked for proof.

  I took in a deep breath through my mouth and closed my eyes, feeling absolutely nothing from the caffeine as I drifted to sleep.

  It wasn’t until I heard a light tapping on the door that I woke up, feeling even worse than when I’d fallen asleep. It was light out, so I had no idea how long I’d slept. I hugged the blanket around my shoulders and peeked out the glass to see Nick standing on my porch.

  My heart squeezed at the sight of him, but then I panicked. There was nothing cute about this look.

  “You okay in there, Holly?” he asked through the door. “I saw your car in the driveway, but you said you worked today.”

  “Totally—” I started hacking before I got the rest of my sentence out.

  “Open up.” He sounded worried, and in between coughing fits, my heart melted even more for the man on the other side of the door, which told me that on the other side was where he needed to stay.

  “I’ve just got a flu or cold or something.” I spurted it out before another coughing fit.

  “You
must have gotten it from Sophie.” He let out a groan. “Or Natty. You saw them both when they were contagious and didn’t know it. It’s a bad bug.”

  “I’m kind of guessing that.”

  “Do you have any medicine?” he asked.

  I let out a sigh, followed by a sneeze.

  “No.”

  “I’ll go to the pharmacy and pick up some stuff. Is there anything in particular you want?” He was still talking to the door.

  “Nick, you don’t have to do that. I’ll be fine.”

  He was making it really difficult not to like him even more, and I somewhat resented him for it. After all, he wasn’t the settling-down kind. Now, I was completely capable of having a fling, but it was like Nick unknowingly wrapped himself in the perfect package that made me like the idea of something more with him. So really, it’s his fault. I had to shut it down before it went somewhere. If he were shallow and inconsiderate, it would be way easier to imagine a casual fling or nothing at all.

  “There’s nothing worse than feeling sick and trying to go out to pick things up. Just promise me you’ll open the door when I return.”

  “Fine,” I grumbled and schlepped back to my chair.

  I picked up my phone and saw several messages from my sister, along with the time. It was noon? I’d slept that long in a chair?

  Nick certainly knew how to build furniture.

  I let out a sigh and grabbed the remote for the television. Top Gun was on, and it was at the good part, the part where they were playing volleyball.

  This sick day was meant to be. I curled deeper into the chair and messaged my sister back with an update.

  It didn’t seem like very much time had passed at all when Nick knocked on the door. Another coughing fit led me to the door, and I felt bad for even exposing him to whatever this was.

  “You can just leave it on the porch. I don’t want you to catch this, whatever it is.”

  “Holly, I was at your house yesterday when you were the most contagious, so I’m probably already doomed.” His laughter filled me with happiness, and I cursed myself for being such a girl and noticing.

  “Fine,” I huffed. “But I don’t want you holding anything against me with what you’re about to see.”