She’d spent several hours on the internet already, trying to find anything about Jack or Jonathan Kincaid, even though Vin had told her he wasn’t interested in knowing. The look in his eyes when she’d mentioned that she could try and find some answers for him had told a different story, however. He’d been betrayed by a family member and lost loved ones. In a way, they had a lot in common. They were both searching for that place of belonging.
“Can we get our check, please?”
Ashley blinked, pulled from her thoughts and daydreams. She rushed back into the dining room and handed the family their check, then plated the last order and brought the burgers and fries to the three teenagers, who continued to snigger. One of them wiggled his eyebrows at her. Ashley rolled her eyes, and walked away.
She headed for the cash register and rang up the family, then followed them to the door. Jim hadn’t put up the closed sign like he said he would. The last thing she needed tonight was another customer.
“Good night, come again soon.”
Ashley stood in the open door for a moment, savoring the evening breeze. The night was unusually cold for once. The parking lot was deserted except for two pick-up trucks and her little Honda. The trucks no doubt belonged to the teenagers and the man finishing his pie. Hopefully they would hurry up so she could get to the clean-up and maybe be home before midnight.
Someone on a bicycle turned off the street into the parking lot, nearly crashing as the bike hit the curb. He rode in a zig-zag line toward the diner, as if he’d never ridden a bike before. Probably some drunk. Best to get back inside and lock the door, or he might come begging for food or money. Ashley squinted when the guy’s long hair blew in the breeze beneath what looked like a cowboy hat, and he wore a long coat. Something about him looked oddly familiar.
Her forehead scrunched. “Vin?”
Ashley stepped out of the way when the bike nearly collided with her and came to a precarious stop, inches from the building.
“What on earth are you doing? And whose bike is that? And . . . and how did you find the diner?”
Ashley rushed up to him as Vin jumped from the bike, his leather duster nearly getting caught in the wheels. Vin looked at her, a wide grin on his face.
“I figured it was time I paid you a visit.”
“A visit?” Ashley stared up at him in the dim light, then glanced over her shoulder at the diner. She shouldn’t be outside, not with customers still in the building.
“I need to get back inside.” She shook her head, lost for words.
Vin fell in step beside her. She ushered him inside, then closed the door and turned the ‘open’ sign to ‘closed.’
“I’m working, Vin. You can’t just show up here,” she hissed, still shocked, but admittedly, pleasantly surprised that he was here. In his old duster and the hat she’d never seen before, he looked every inch the nineteenth century cowboy that he was.
“I can wait until you’re finished.” He yanked his hat from his head and ran a hand through his hair.
Vin glanced around the room. His eyes narrowed and came to rest on the booth where the three teenagers sat. They’d stopped talking and laughing, and all three of them stared at him. A slow smile spread across his face.
Ashley frowned, her gaze volleying from him to the boys. They all scrambled from the booth, tossing some money onto the table.
“We can’t wait for the check. We left enough to cover our food,” one of them said, darting a nervous glance at Vin. Their eyes met for a fraction of a second, and it appeared as if Vin’s body moved slightly toward the boy. He’d been the one making eyes and rude gestures at her earlier. Now, he looked as if he was about to wet his pants.
“Thank you, Miss, for the great food and great service,” he choked, looking from her back to Vin, then rushed out the door after his companions.
“What was that all about?”
Ashley glanced at Vin with narrowed eyes. He stood, watching the boys climb into their truck and peel out of the parking lot. He wore a satisfied smile.
“Sure nice of him to do the polite thing and thank you, don’t you think?” Vin directed his smile at her, his eyes sparkling with laughter.
“Thanks for the pie, Ashley,” the man at the counter called. He dropped some money near his empty plate and headed for the door. He stopped in front of her, smiling. She didn’t have to look at Vin to notice that his easy-going smile had vanished and his body had tensed.
“Sweet as always, and been a pleasure seeing you.” The man winked at her and left.
Ashley’s hand snatched up to grab hold of Vin’s arm when he moved to follow the man.
“Let it be.” She shot him a stern look.
His jaw clenched, but the annoyance in his eyes eased. Ashley let go of his arm when he offered a reluctant nod of acceptance. She locked the door behind the patron and dimmed the lights in the dining room.
“I still don’t know what you’re doing here, or how you even found this place.”
Ashley scurried around the room, collecting the money the boys had left at the table and the bills off the counter, and rung up the correct amount in the cash register.
Sudden nerves had taken hold in her for some unexplainable reason, being alone with him here. He looked good in the duster and the hat, a look she hadn’t seen on him before. She’d only seen him in modern clothes, and while he wore jeans and, no doubt, a t-shirt under the coat, this was definitely the real Vin Kincaid – feral and almost dangerous.
Vin came up behind her as she gathered the plates with uneaten fries and burgers the boys had left in their haste to leave the diner. She glanced over her shoulder to look at him. He met her gaze, clearly waiting for something, so she turned to face him. The dark look in his eyes as he stared at her with that familiar soft appreciation went straight to her heart.
“Your neighbor, Mrs. Filmore, let me borrow her old bicycle.” He chuckled almost nervously, and smiled. “Blasted thing is more temperamental than riding an unbroke mustang.”
Ashley’s forehead scrunched. “Agnes Filmore? Why would she loan you a bicycle?”
Vin grinned sheepishly. “She suggested I come and pay you a visit. Even drew me a map how to get here.”
Ashley let out a nervous laugh. “But why come here? Is something wrong at the house? I showed you how to use the phone if you needed to get hold of me.”
Vin took a step forward and his gaze intensified, locking his eyes on her. “I think it’s time I started courting you, Ashley Gilbert, and it didn’t seem appropriate to ask you in your home.”
Ashley shook her head. Court her? Was this guy for real? She tore her eyes away from his intense stare, and fumbled with the plates on the table.
“I have to get this mess cleaned up,” she mumbled.
Her heart beat furiously as she rushed to the kitchen with the dirty dishes piled high in her hands. No one had ever used that kind of pick-up line on her before. It wasn’t a pick-up line. It was a sincere request from Vin to ask her on a date, if she’d interpreted the meaning of courting correctly.
She scraped the leftover food into the trash and dumped the dishes into the sink that was already filled with soapy water, then headed for the swinging doors to get the last of the plates. What was she going to say to him? She’d simply left him standing there in the dining room. This guy was everything on her list, and so much more, so what was she afraid of?
Ashley pushed the door open and right into Vin, who was carrying an armload of dishes. With a loud clank, the plates dropped to the floor, shattering into tiny pieces.
“I’m so sorry,” she stammered.
She couldn’t even look at him. She’d never reacted this way to a guy before. Ever. Her hands trembled as she knelt to gather some of the pieces. Vin’s strong hand wrapped around her arm and brought her back to her feet, and up against his chest.
“That was my fault. I’ll clean it up.” His deep tone was sultry, and so close.
Ashley stared up at him. H
er mouth opened slightly, and Vin lowered his head, his lips caressing hers in the most tender way she’d ever been kissed.
Chapter 13
Vin pulled Ashley fully into his arms. Kissing her hadn’t been his plan this evening. It had simply happened. The way she’d stared at him with that almost grateful and relieved look in her eyes when he’d shown up, and then gotten all flustered when he’d said he wanted to court her, had been all the encouragement he’d needed.
There wasn’t a shred of doubt that she had feelings for him, but she was afraid to admit it to herself. He hadn’t been any different. Tonight, however, he’d made the first move to show her that he had feelings for her, and that he wanted to pursue a relationship. He might have overstepped his bounds by kissing her, but he had no regrets. Not when she stood so willingly in his arms.
He eased his lips from hers, even though he’d much rather pull her closer and kiss her proper. He wasn’t going to rush this. From everything he’d gathered so far about Ashley from listening to the old ladies chatter, she’d had quite a few beaus, but none of them had treated her decent.
She deserved better, but whether he was the man to give her what she needed was doubtful. All he could do right now was make her see that he cared for her. It had been enough for his parents. They were content living a modest life as long as they had each other. Would it be enough for Ashley?
She fit perfectly against him, relaxed in his embrace with her hands gripping his shoulders as his arms drew her closer. When her eyes lifted to his, the wonder and surprise were clear to see. No doubt he had the same look about him.
Mrs. Filmore had been right. Days ago, the old lady had told him to be himself. This was the only way he knew, and Ashley liked him despite all of it. He smiled. Perhaps the duster and hat had something to do with it, too, as Mrs. Filmore had predicted.
When the kindly neighbor had knocked on the door of Ashley’s home earlier and suggested he visit Ashley at her place of employment, Vin had shrugged off the idea, but the old lady had pressed on. In an effort to get rid of her, he’d told her that the only mode of transportation he was comfortable with was a horse, knowing full well she didn’t have a horse to give him.
“You always struck me as a real cowboy,” Mrs. Filmore had exclaimed. “I bet that’s another reason Ashley likes you.” She’d smiled smugly, and Vin had groaned at the calculating look in her eyes. For some reason, she’d set her sights on him as a good match for Ashley.
“I can’t provide you with a horse, but I do have a bicycle in my garage that my late husband used to ride.”
“A bicycle?”
What was that? She’d given him a perplexed look when he’d admitted that he had no idea what a bicycle was. When she’d marched him across the street to her garage and pointed to a metal contraption with two wheels, it had become obvious. If she’d called it a velocipede or a boneshaker, he’d have known what she was talking about. This one looked slightly different than the design he’d seen before, but it was basically the same thing. Trouble was, he’d never ridden one.
“I ain’t getting on that contraption, and certainly not to call on Ashley at her place of employment.”
Mrs. Filmore hadn’t taken no for an answer, glaring at him with the sharp eyes of a mother hen. “You said the other day that you don’t know how to properly court Ashley. I’m telling you, she will love it.”
Mrs. Filmore had gone on to suggest that he wear what she called a cowboy outfit if he owned one. She’d beamed with joy when he’d shown her his old duster and hat that he hadn’t worn since the night he’d been stabbed.
The old woman had even drawn him out a map showing how to get to a place called Jim’s Diner, and had given him some pointers on how to stay on the blasted two-wheeled contraption and keep it moving forward while simultaneously steering it. He’d nearly fallen off the thing several times on the way to the diner. It seemed to have a mind of its own far worse than an ornery mule.
Vin eased his arms away from the sweet woman he held. She still gripped his shoulders as if she’d fall over if she let go. He cleared his throat.
“I came here tonight, like I said, to ask if you were willing to let me court you. Kissing you wasn’t my intention, Ashley, but I ain’t sorry it happened.”
Slowly, her head moved from side to side. “I’m not sorry, either. You’re a good kisser.” She glanced downward. When she brought her head back up to look him in the eye, a smile brightened her face. “I knew you’d be a good kisser.”
Vin grinned. “How would you know about that?”
She shrugged. Her cheeks turned rosy. “I just knew.”
He groaned silently, then reached for her again, unable to stop himself. He’d kept his initial infatuation for Ashley in check for too long. Holding her in his arms only affirmed what he’d known since the first moment he’d seen her. She was his purpose for coming to the future.
She was his future. Why else would he have willingly stepped into a flying tin can to follow her a thousand miles? The moment he’d said yes to leaving Texas, and going with Ashley to California, he’d made up his mind that he was never going back to his old life.
His hand cupped the side of her face, his rough thumb caressing the smoothness of her cheek. His heart beat almost painfully against his ribs. For the first time in countless years, the heaviness in his chest lifted and a sense of belonging enveloped him. Vin’s lips curved in a teasing smile
“You’re not such a bad kisser yourself, but I’d best make sure.”
The second time was no different than the first. When Ashley’s arms crept up and around his neck, tugging him closer, he deepened the kiss. Her lips parted beneath his, and she kissed him back with an almost desperate need for something she’d found unattainable before.
Vin’s fingers entwined with her hair at the back of her head as he held her to him, while his arm around her waist pulled her up against his chest. He ignored the dull ache at the site of his injury when she leaned into him as if she wanted to mold herself to him forever.
When it was over, they were both breathless.
“What happens now?” Ashley whispered, her arms still around his neck.
“I think right now, I’d best get those broken dishes thrown away.”
Ashley shook her head. “That’s not what I meant.”
He frowned, and shook his head. “What do you think ought to happen? I told you, I’d like to court you if you’ll let me.”
He eased away from her, and her arms dropped to the side. She looked downright perplexed. His head tilted slightly as he scrutinized her, struggling to decipher the meaning of her question. The unsure look on her face finally revealed the answer. He took her hands in his.
“Nothing happens, Ashley. If we were back in my time, we would part ways after I said good night to you on your front porch. Unfortunately, that’s not possible at the moment, since I live under your roof. When we return to your house, I’ll say good night and retire to my room.”
Ashley blinked, staring up at him. She shook her head as if in disbelief. Vin squeezed her hands. He offered a smile. He couldn’t tell her that he wanted so much more, but it was too soon. He wasn’t about to disrespect her by taking advantage of her.
“What are you thinking?”
Ashley blinked rapidly several times. She sniffled, then looked him in the eyes.
“I’m thinking that you’re too good to be true, Vin Kincaid.”
He let go of one of her hands, and ran his fingers along his jaw. He smirked. “I ain’t sure I understand, but for you, I wish I was a good man. I’ve done a lot of things I ain’t so proud of.”
She laughed while shaking her head. “That makes two of us.” Almost immediately, her face sobered. “I’m afraid, Vin,” she whispered.
He frowned. “Afraid of what?”
“I’m afraid of getting my hopes up.” Her eyes began to shimmer. “I’m afraid if I let myself fall in love with you, I’ll get disappointed again.” She scoffe
d. “I think it’s already too late, but there’s a good chance that you’ll leave and go back to your time.”
Vin’s arm snaked around her waist, drawing her up against him. “I have nothing to go back for,” he growled. “I’ve always wanted the kind of life, and love, that my folks shared. It’s the one memory I have of them. In my gut, I know I was sent here to find you.”
His eyes roamed over her, willing her to understand what he was saying.
“My father once told me that he took one look at my mother, and right then, he fell in love and knew she’d be the one he’d spend the rest of his life with.” He brought his hand up to swipe away a tear that rolled down Ashley’s cheek. “The same thing is happening to me. I saw you in the hospital after I woke up, and I thought you were the prettiest thing I’d ever seen. I don’t know what kind of life I can offer you, but I’m willing to learn and do whatever it takes to live in this time.”
Ashley brought her hand up behind his head and drew him down to meet her kiss. “I believe you, Vin Kincaid,” she breathed against his lips. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to help you adjust to this new life.” She smiled through her tears. “You have a family in this time. Scott and Amber are more than happy to welcome you into the modern-day Kincaid family.”
She pulled away from him and wiped her hand across her face, then cleared her throat.
“I’ve had a long and horrible day, but you’ve just made it the best day of my life. Let’s get this mess cleaned up and head home.”
Ashley pulled into her driveway. She yawned, exhausted from the day, but the last hour had invigorated her with happiness the likes of which she’d never felt before. Part of her was still worried that she’d wake up and this would all be a dream.
Could this really be happening and she’d finally found the right guy? The one who wasn’t going to walk away, but would love her for the long haul? He’d been sent here to find his heart’s match, according to Moira Lockhart. A nagging suspicion had grown that Moira had conveniently left for New York for more than a family emergency. Why else would she have entrusted her with the time travel watch? Moira wanted her and Vin to get together, and the only way for it to happen was for them to be alone together.
Timeless Hero (Timeless Hearts Book 12) Page 11
