by Lisa Jordan
So there was to be a next time?
“You have a nice laugh. You need to use it more often.”
His head shot up, and he shot her a quizzical look as if her comment had taken him aback. Sure, he’d laughed before, but it wasn’t something he did often. Maybe she could help him change that. Would he even want her to?
“Anyway, I should take some medicine and head to bed.” She laid a hand on his arm. “Thanks for everything, Alec.”
He leaned forward as she turned her head. His lips brushed hers in the gentlest, barest of kisses. But it was enough to send a shock through her. She jerked back, eyes widening. Had he planned to kiss her?
She’d been kissed before, but this accidental encounter caught her by surprise.
Apparently it’d been a shock to Alec, too, as he turned without a word and jogged down the stairs, slamming the outer door behind him.
Sarah stared at the empty staircase, a realization keeping her rooted in the open doorway. She was falling for Alec Seaver. And that brought her more discomfort than the way he’d left after their kiss.
Chapter Ten
Was Sarah willing to risk falling for someone who didn’t share her faith? Someone who was still in love with his late wife?
The question kept her awake late into the night.
Nothing but despair could come of that. And she’d had plenty of unhappiness getting over Adam, thank you very much. She couldn’t risk her heart with a man who’d already made it clear he had no intention of surrendering his. So how could something so wrong feel so right?
Not that Alec wanted to encourage anything between them—he’d made it clear he wasn’t looking for a relationship.
But then why had he pounded on her door first thing this morning, pulling her out of a delightful dream, and asked her to attend the Celebrate the Lake event that day with him? And why had she jumped so quickly at the opportunity?
Caleb had called first thing, asking if Daniel and Toby wanted to go fishing with him and his ten-year-old son, Griffin. Once she saw them off, she’d crawled into bed, considered her day and allowed herself to relive last night’s accidental kiss like a fifteen-year-old.
As for Alec, he acted like nothing had happened when he knocked on her door this morning to ask her to the event. Maybe that’s what he considered it—nothing.
She had to stop thinking about it, focus on the present and enjoy the gorgeous day.
Sunlight glittered across the water, raining diamonds across the rippled surface. The stately pines and majestic oaks fortifying the shores cast shadows across the tops of the white party tents set up on the manicured lawn next to Lakeside Lodge, a Tudor-style building that boasted natural woodwork, floor-to-ceiling windows, sleeping accommodations and a dining room with a menu that rivaled a four-star restaurant’s.
A myriad of scents gathered in the light breeze and beckoned guests to go in search of the gourmet selections crafted by culinary artisans using their makeshift kitchens as their studios. Foodies from around the county sampled everything from organic honey to intricate pastries that melted in their mouths.
“Here, try this.” Alec held a wrapped piece of something on a toothpick near her mouth.
She pulled her head back and eyed the hors d’oeuvre. “What is it?”
“Trust me.” He grinned, the expression transforming his features.
Clamping her lips together, she shook her head. “Uh-uh.”
“Oh, come on, Sarah. Live a little.” The cajoling tone in his voice made her heart skip.
“Believe me, I lived a lot after you fed me a frog leg claiming it was chicken.”
The crinkles around his eyes deepened as he fought a smile. “You ate it and survived, didn’t you? I’m simply trying to expand your culinary palate.”
“Sorry, bub, but you broke my trust. Now you have to earn it back.”
He winked, giving her the barest of smiles. “How do you propose I do that?”
Was he flirting with her?
“Tell me what’s on the toothpick, then buy me some ice cream.” She pointed to a vendor scooping homemade gourmet ice cream.
He laughed, a sound Sarah was hearing more and more as their morning continued. “It’s a grilled scallop wrapped in prosciutto.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a type of cured Italian ham.”
She eyed the appetizer and wrinkled her nose. “I’m not crazy about seafood.”
“It’s really good. You’ll like it, I promise.”
“That’s what you said about the frog legs.”
He circled it in front of her mouth like a parent trying to cajole a stubborn toddler. “Come on...open up.”
She rolled her eyes and exhaled loudly. “Last time. If I don’t like this, you’re in trouble.” She took the toothpick from him and bit into the appetizer. The delicate, almost sweet flavor of the scallop melded with the cured taste of the prosciutto, creating a pleasant combination. Okay, so he was right, but did she really want to see him gloat? “Not bad.” She scoured the linen-covered cocktail table, searching for another one.
“Fair enough. Let’s get you some ice cream for being so brave.”
Tossing her napkin and toothpick into a nearby trash can, they wandered over to a booth with a red-and-white canopy that advertised “N’ice Cream.”
A slim man with a reddish beard dressed in a white chef coat greeted them. “Hey, folks. I’m Chef Scott.” He nodded toward a tall man with blond hair standing behind their makeshift counter. “This is my brother and business partner, Chef Mitchell.”
The other chef smiled at them and handed them a pamphlet. “Ever hear of molecular gastronomy?”
Alec nodded, leafing through their brochure. “I watched a cooking show where they featured different recipes such as transparent ravioli.”
Sarah peered over Alec’s shoulder. “Sounds like chemistry.”
“That’s what it is—combining chemistry and cooking. We’ll demonstrate, but first, what’s your flavor pleasure?” Chef Scott gestured to the chalkboard easel standing next to his table.
Sarah read the variety of flavors from basic vanilla and chocolate to gourmet like green-tea raspberry. She turned to Alec. “So many choices. What are you having?”
He studied the board. “I’m going with German chocolate cake in a hand-rolled waffle cone.”
“That was fast.”
“It’s my favorite cake, so it was an easy choice.”
She studied the board and tapped her index finger against her chin. “I can’t decide between blueberry cheesecake or salted-caramel hot chocolate.”
“Both of those sound pretty amazing.”
“Yes. I’ll go with the salted caramel, though.”
“Great choices. Usually ice cream requires hours to freeze before it can be served.” Chef Mitchell rubbed his hands together and grinned. “How about ice cream in under a minute?”
Both chefs gathered the ingredients and added them to two separate stainless-steel mixer bowls. After explaining how much and what was going into the bowls, they attached them to their coordinating industrial stand mixers and turned them on. While the whipping cream blended with the sugar and other ingredients, both guys donned safety glasses and heavy-duty gloves that covered their hands and forearms.
Chef Scott held up a stainless-steel carafe. “This is where cuisine and chemistry interact to create something your palate has yet to experience.”
They poured liquid from the carafes slowly into the rotating bowls. Fog-like vapor billowed over the bowls and frost blanketed the outside.
Less than a minute later, they stopped the mixers and scooped the ice cream into the waffle cones, then handed them to Sarah and Alec.
Sarah bit into hers and groaned. “This is so goo
d. And creamy.”
“Exceptionally smooth. A little surprising, I admit.”
Chef Scott removed his goggles and gloves. “The liquid nitrogen is minus 320 degrees, so the ice cream freezes with smaller ice crystals, making it creamier than store-bought ice cream. Plus, with fresh ingredients, your ice cream hasn’t been stored in the freezer for an extended period of time.”
Sarah glanced at Alec, then looked back at the chefs. “We’re teaching cooking to teenagers in a summer outreach program. Would you be willing to come and give them a demonstration?”
“I’m sure we could work something out.” Chef Mitchell rounded the table and grabbed a couple of business cards out of a small basket hanging on the chalkboard easel and handed one to Alec and one to Sarah. “Here’s our card. Give us a call and we can set something up.”
They thanked the chefs, praised the ice cream one more time and wandered away from the food tent toward the lake, cones in hand.
White triangular sails dotted the grayish-blue water. A speedboat pulling a water skier sliced across the rippled surface, creating a small wake. Kayakers paddled closer to shore while kids ran from the sand into the lake. Overhead, puffy cotton-ball clouds ambled across the hazy blue sky. Seagulls scuttled across the sand, scavenging for food.
“Such a beautiful day for the Celebrate the Lake event.” Sarah lifted her face to the sunshine.
“Last year it rained the entire weekend. Hopefully this year will make up for last year’s low attendance.”
She glanced at the full parking lot. “Looks like they’re on their way. Thanks for asking me to come along.”
“Thanks for coming.”
They followed a walking path along the shore while finishing their cones. Occasionally Alec’s shoulder brushed hers. Purely accidentally, of course, because when she glanced at him, he continued looking straight ahead, his eyes hidden behind the aviator sunglasses he’d put on.
His white short-sleeved button-down shirt emphasized his muscular forearms. Paired with navy cargo shorts and leather sandals, he fit in perfectly for a day at the lake. When she’d arrived downstairs less than thirty minutes after his knock, he’d complimented her on her outfit—a coral sundress with crocheted bolero sweater and leather sandals. His words had kept her smiling to herself for the rest of the morning.
Sarah swallowed the last bite of her cone and wiped her mouth with her tattered napkin. “That was the best ice cream I’ve ever had. A little awkward eating it with my left hand, though.”
“I’d have to agree.”
“Imagine that—we agree on something.” She bumped his shoulder playfully.
“I’m sure the kids will enjoy the demonstration.” Alec stopped walking and put a hand on her arm. “You okay? Your wrist hurting?”
“No, I’m fine. Why?”
“Didn’t you just whimper?”
“What? No.”
“I thought I heard a whimper.” He removed his sunglasses and hooked them over his shirt pocket. He scanned the low bushes lining the path, then he cocked his head. “There it goes again.”
Sarah paused and listened. “I hear it, too. Sounds like it’s coming from that thicket of berry bushes. I hope a kid didn’t wander off. There are a lot of people here today.”
“If it was a kid, they’d be doing a massive search, complete with sweeping the water.” Alec walked toward the overgrowth and peered into the bushes. He squatted and stretched out his hand, his voice dropping to a soothing tone. “Hey, boy, what are you doing in there?”
Sarah stooped beside him, placing her injured arm on his back for support, and moved branches aside to find a trembling, matted bundle of fur cowering on a bed of dried leaves. The dog’s large brown eyes stared at them with fear and uncertainty. She couldn’t stand it and reached out to touch him.
The dog’s ears pinned back. He growled low in his throat and bared his teeth.
Alec reached for her hand and pulled it back, but didn’t let go. “Be careful. Poor thing feels threatened.”
Continuing to talk to the dog in soothing tones, Alec released Sarah’s hand and crept closer until he was able to sit on the ground near the animal. He held his hand out for him to sniff, then he gently stroked the dirty, matted fur until the dog stopped baring his teeth and turned its head into Alec’s palm.
Grinning at Sarah, Alec scooped up the pup and cradled it against his chest, wrinkling his nose. “Phew. He hasn’t had a bath in a while.”
Sarah knelt next to them. “Pitiful creature. We can’t leave him here. I’ll call my sister-in-law. Zoe works at Canine Companions, and they have a shelter for rescued animals.”
“I’m sure they have enough already.”
“Are you thinking of keeping it? My lease states no pets.”
“I’m sure I could sway the landlord.”
Sarah looked at him. “Are you serious?”
“Like you said—we can’t leave him here.”
“No, but Canine Companions will take him in a heartbeat. Leona never turns away animals. Maybe he’s lost, and his owners are missing him.”
“Or maybe he was abandoned with no one to care for him. This will cut our day short, but would you mind if we leave? We can take him to a groomer, pick up some supplies and then post some flyers until his owner is found.”
“I’m totally fine with leaving, but what if his owner doesn’t claim him?”
Alec didn’t say anything for a moment as he continued to pet the dog, his large hand covering half of its quivering body. “We found him. You have a lot on your plate already, so I don’t expect you to care for him.”
“What about you? Between running a business, helping me, caring for your family...”
“My schedule is flexible. One of the perks of being the boss. We can’t leave him to fend for himself. He’s lost and hungry. Now it’s up to me to help him to trust, to learn to love again.” Alec stared off into the distance.
Was he still referring to the dog?
The more Sarah watched Alec’s gentle touch with the dog, the heavier her heart hung in her chest. Why did he have to be so sweet and appealing today? Why couldn’t he be a jerk and walk away, leaving the poor animal to continue fighting for survival?
Alec was nothing like the man she’d met her first night in her apartment. He was funny and charming and a complete gentleman who put others’ needs before his. Except he’d walked away from his faith. And without that, they could never pursue a relationship.
Sarah needed to make a choice, and although it was the right one, it certainly wasn’t easy. She had to put some distance between them. Otherwise, she didn’t know if she could recover from another broken heart.
* * *
Alec lay on the couch, stroking Eliza’s fur. It had been a week and still no one had come forward to claim the little fur ball, despite the flyers plastered all around town. She stirred and looked at Alec with those huge, vulnerable eyes.
What if he and Sarah hadn’t been walking along the path? Who knows how long it would’ve been before the sweet girl would have been rescued.
Nobody deserved to live like that. Surviving instead of thriving.
Something he understood all too well.
By the time they’d gotten the dog to the car, they realized the black-and-tan Yorkshire terrier mix was actually a female. Once she’d been bathed and had her fur and nails trimmed, the pup looked nothing like the ragamuffin they’d rescued.
Had it really been only a week since they’d found her? Seemed longer. At least now she wasn’t snapping every time he tried to pet her. Nor did she try to hide. How long should he keep looking for her owner before he called it good enough? He needed to make a vet appointment to get her vaccinated and microchipped. Plus, she needed a dog license, but he didn’t want to do that if someone was going to come
and claim her.
Did he want to risk getting attached only to lose her? The sweet girl needed to know someone cared for her. Someone was going to protect her and remind her she’d never be alone again.
Did that go for him, too?
For the first time since losing Christy, he was contemplating his future. A month ago, he wouldn’t even consider it. Now every time he thought about it, Sarah kept coming to mind. Was it possible he wasn’t destined to spend the rest of his life alone? Maybe it was okay for him to move on and find happiness again. Honestly, he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life alone.
So where did he go from there? How did he put one foot in front of the other and start thinking about romance again? Maybe he could begin by asking Sarah out on a real date and go from there.
Now he just needed to work up the courage to do it.
A thump sounded on the porch.
Eliza’s ears perked up. Her head swiveled toward the front porch. Then she jumped down, barked and raced across the room.
Alec pushed off the couch and made his way to the front door. He grabbed Eliza’s leash and clipped it to her collar, then opened the door to find Sarah on her knees rounding up apples with one hand before they rolled off the edge of the porch.
Eliza pulled on her leash and barked at Sarah.
“Let me help you.” Still holding on to the dog’s leash, Alec snatched a few and dropped them in one of the grocery bags. Grabbing the handles of the rest of the bags, he jerked his head toward her apartment. “If you get the doors, I’ll carry these upstairs for you.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can get them.” Fatigue threaded her words, which she punctuated with a yawn, as she scooped up the pup.
“I want to.” Should he be concerned that she didn’t seem to meet his gaze? He tipped her chin up. Dark circles shaded her eyes. “You okay?”
She turned her face, but not before he caught the welling of tears. “Yes, just tired. Nancy Obenhaus, the boys’ grandma, was admitted into the hospital again last night. She developed a blood clot in her leg. They wanted to visit with her while I ran a few errands. I need to head back there.”
