by Lori Ryan
“Why?” he asked, his voice sounding vulnerable even to himself. Dare he hope?
“The Town Council asked me to serve as an interim member.”
“Are you kidding me?”
She laughed. “No, I’m not kidding you. Michael Marroquin stepped down two weeks ago. It was his son, and Earl Fisk’s son, who damaged my car.”
“You’re serious?”
“Yeah. I didn’t press charges.”
“Why the hell not? They could have hurt you if you’d been inside.”
“I know what it’s like to be a lost teen, a punk-ass-kid who’s mad at the world and wants to destroy everything.”
“No way, I don’t buy it.”
She nodded. “Yeah. I was involved in some not so nice stuff while we were in New Jersey.” She lifted her head, her eyes meeting his. “I wasn’t a very good role model for my sisters, hanging out with the wrong crowd, involved in things that got people hurt.”
“So your parents moved.”
“Yeah. I resented them for a long time, taking me away from people I thought were my friends. But it turns out they were trying to save me from myself.”
“That’s good,” he said, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “Is that why you and your mom don’t get along?”
She nodded. “I didn’t realize how much she worried about me until recently.”
“What made you realize it?”
“You,” she said softly. “And Becca.”
He held his breath. Did he have a chance? Had she fallen for him and his daughter as much as they had for her?
She took both of his hands in hers, stepping into him until their chests touched.
His body responded immediately. Holy hell, what this woman did to him.
“While I was in Washington I realized that living in D.C., working for an international organization, wasn’t my passion.”
“No?”
She shook her head. “I’m more of a local girl. Working on issues in my community.”
“So, you’re staying. In Canyon Creek?”
“I am.” She smiled.
His heart soared, his body wanting to break out in song like a damned Disney film. He really needed to ease up on those movies.
“Ask me again?” she said, pressing closer.
He swallowed hard, his fingers itching to dig into her thick, silken hair. He released her hands and circled his arms around her waist, pulling her in even tighter. “Lina Bianchi, would you consider going out on a date with me?”
She tilted her head, her eyes alight with mischief. “I’d consider it.”
“What would convince you?”
“Maybe if you kissed me.”
“I can do that.” He stood stock still, not moving.
She raised her brows. “Now?”
“We’re in a bookstore. Where you work. That wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“Appropriate is overrated.” She slid her hands into his hair, tugging his face to hers.
Slowly their lips met and Jake suddenly felt as if he were right where he belonged. Right where he needed to be.
One hand travelled up her back, the other lower to the top of her ass, pulling her in to an erection that was beyond inappropriate for a book store. He tilted his head, deepening the kiss, losing himself in this woman. He was lost in her touch, captivated by her beauty, inspired by her passion.
Slowly she pulled back, one finger wiping across his lip. “You should know, I’m not that kind of girl, though.”
He smiled “What kind of girl is that?”
“I don’t want to hide our relationship. I don’t want to sneak around.”
He quirked a brow. “I thought you didn’t do relationships.”
“For a certain man and his beautiful daughter, I might make an exception.”
“Good.” Before she could say more, he tugged back in for a soul scorching kiss, forgetting where they were.
“Daddy!” Becca screamed behind them.
Lina jumped away, bumping into one of the shelves as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
“Oh shit,” he whispered.
Becca stood ramrod straight, hands on hips, her brows drawn together. She looked exactly like he used to when he reprimanded an office staffer. “You were supposed to ask her out, not kiss her.”
An audience had gathered behind Becca.
Jake turned to Lina. Her lips were rolled in and pressed between her teeth, obviously trying to suppress a smile.
“It’s okay, topolina,” Lina said. “I had to make sure he was a good kisser before I could go out with him.”
Becca’s gaze darted between the two of them, her eyes narrowing. “Are you sure? That’s not what Grammy Val says.”
“What did my mom say?” Jake asked.
“She said a boy should take you out at least four times, before you kiss him. And they should always pay.”
When the hell had they talked about dating and kissing, Jake wondered.
“I asked her about kissing when we were watching Beauty and the Beast,” Becca answered his silent question. “Grammy Val said she didn’t kiss Grandpa John until they had dated almost six months.”
Well, thank you mom. “Grammy Val is right. But, technically, Lina and I have seen each other a lot so it’s kind of been like dates.”
Becca considered this for a moment. “I guess. Lina, you ready for ice cream?”
“I’m still working, topolina.”
“Go!” someone shouted behind Becca.
Jake looked over her shoulder. It was Paula Sloane, the owner, and a woman who never hesitated to gossip.
“January’s here now,” Paula said. “She’ll watch the front while I go replay that video of you two basically—”
“Paula!” Lina shouted, motioning toward Becca.
Becca glanced over her shoulder at Paula. “What?”
“There are video cameras in here?” Jake asked.
“Yes.” Lina’s eyes were narrowed on Paula, as if daring her to say more. “Several, apparently.”
“Go.” Paula laughed, “we’ve got it covered. But bring me back a double scoop of butter pecan, will you Becca?”
“Okay,” Becca waved toward Paula before turning to face them. She held out a hand to Jake and he walked toward her, taking it in his. She handed him Dog and the books she’d selected then held out her other hand to Lina. “Come on, toe-poe-lina. Let’s go.”
Lina beamed and made her way to them, clutching Becca’s hand in hers. She smiled down at his daughter then looked over the little girl’s head to him, her eyes holding his gaze for what felt like forever.
The three made their way toward the cashier. January Walden, daughter of the town’s high school principal, stood behind the counter, dropping her backpack on the floor. Her face was pasty white and she looked like she might toss her cookies at any moment.
“Is she all right?” Jake asked quietly, afraid to put the books on the counter.
“She’ll be better,” Lina said. Her tone indicated there was more to the story but he didn’t press.
“Are you ready to check out?” January asked.
“Yes,” Lina answered, taking the books from Jake’s hand.
“Happy birthday,” Becca said, staring up at January.
She touched the pin and ribbon on her shirt that said "Birthday Girl."
“Oh, thanks. I forgot.”
“How can you forget your birthday?” Becca wrinkled her nose.
“I don’t know. I guess I got…busy.”
“Busy?” Becca tilted her head. “You’re never too busy for birthdays. Do you want some ice cream? We’re going now.”
January practically turned green as she shook her head. “Um, no thank you.”
“How old are you?” Becca asked.
“Seventeen,” January answered quietly.
“Ooooh, you’re sooo lucky,” Beck dragged out the words. “I can hardly wait until I’m that old,”
Visions of
Becca at ten, fifteen, twenty, swirled in his mind. Suddenly Jake felt light-headed.
“Daddy, you okay?”
He shook his head to rid the images of what might happen to Becca. “Yeah, sweetheart, I’m fine.”
They finished checking out and Jake took the bag January held out, clasping Becca’s hand and heading toward the front of the store. He pushed the door open, allowing Lina and Becca to pass, still dumbfounded thinking of the years ahead.
“Happy birthday,” Becca shouted.
“Thank you,” came January’s quiet voice from inside.
Jake glanced over his shoulder.
January looked up and smiled.
He returned the expression, unable to shake the feeling that this girl was going through more than a seventeen-year-old should.
“Jake,” Lina called.
“Oh, yeah, sorry.” He caught up with her, sliding his hand in hers as they watched Becca skip along the sidewalk, waving to passersby.
“I think Becca will be happier here,” Jake said.
“Will you?” Lina asked.
He stared down at her, “I already am.” Leaning down he brushed a soft kiss against her lips. “Which reminds me.”
“Kissing me reminds you of something?”
“Yeah it does. You never told me what your passion was.”
“I thought it was pretty obvious back there at the book store.” She grinned, nodding back to where they’d come from.
“What?” he asked, holding his breath.
“Ice cream.”
“Oh.” His shoulders slumped in disappointment.
She laughed, rubbing the furrow between his brows. “And you, Jake Sumner.”
Epilogue
Lina studied her computer screen, reading over the last of her notes from her meeting with the Colorado Department of Transportation. She, Earl, and their mayor had met them in Denver, the state’s capitol, two days ago to discuss details of the highway expansion.
She’d been surprised to discover that Colorado DOT was already aware of most of the environmental and wildlife concerns. She’d also learned they had a reason for wanting the expansion to go through. Due to incredibly stupid funding rules, if Colorado didn’t use the money for the expansion, they would lose it, hence their push to see the buildout happen.
Instead of fighting, Lina was learning to work with the opposition. She proposed an expansion of a smaller section of the highway, but with some important changes to the way the construction would work. Adjustments that would prevent major harm to the environment and the plant and animal life in the region.
Her goal had always been to bring about positive change. Being stubborn and digging in her heels had never worked. Thanks to the mayor’s mentoring, Lina was learning that lesson.
Not just in her new job on the town council, either. She was putting that practice to work in life, too.
“You almost done, babe?” Jake called from the couch in the living room.
She was sitting at the dining room table at Max and Devlin’s home. The house had originally been built and used as a bed and breakfast for the Sumners, but once Devlin fell in love with the property, Jake’s mother had gifted it to the couple. Well, she’d tried to gift it. Max and Devlin insisted on paying a portion of it to be fair to the other Sumner boys. Jake couldn’t care less, he’d said. The house was in the family and his brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law were happy.
“Yeah, let me just save this file.” She watched the software power down and closed the laptop, moving toward the sofa. The smell of popcorn was thick in the air and Lina’s stomach grumbled.
“What are we watching?” Jake asked.
Max held up a DVD and shook it above his head, laughing. “I thought since it’s only a week away from the festival—”
“And three days until your wedding,” Mia said.
“True,” Max sighed, an unaffected smile spreading across his face.
Devlin had finally agreed on a date, despite her earlier resistance to getting married while she was pregnant with twins. All of Jake’s family had arrived for the big event. Many were staying to attend the first few days of the film festival as well. They’d all decided to take a night off from their grueling schedule, gearing up for the festival.
Until recently, Lina had no idea what all went in to making a film festival successful. The town had really come together, revamping venues into theater-like settings to accommodate the films that would be showcased, among everything else. It was good for the community to come together to help the economy. This festival would produce a lot of revenue for every business owner in the area.
Lina glanced around the large living room. Several of Jake’s brothers and cousins were in attendance. She’d thought Italian families were large. The Sumner family was definitely putting her extended family to shame.
“So what are we watching?” Ben asked.
Maggie slid in closer to her husband.
“Well,” Max smirked, patting Grant on the shoulder, a devilish grin on his face, “I thought since our brother Grant here is about to showcase his new film, we should showcase one of his earlier ones.”
“Oh, hell yeah.” Jake laughed.
“Hell no!” Grant yelled, jumping to his feet.
“Sorority House Slaughter!” The room yelled out in unison.
Grant moaned and turned toward her. “Lina, help me out. Tell them no.”
She looked out over the room, most staring at her. “I really don’t like scary movies.”
“Yes,” Grant waved a hand in the air, “thank you. We can’t watch it. No one wants to scare Jake’s girlfriend.”
Girlfriend.
It still sounded weird, but nice.
Jake wrapped an arm around her and tugged her tight.
She glanced up at him, not surprised to see him smiling down. He reached down and placed a light kiss on her lips.
“Ahh,” the girls sighed.
“So…that’s a no on the movie, right?” Grant stared at her, brows raised.
“Lina, trust me,” Max said, staring down at the DVD, “this is not a horror movie.”
“Oh, it’s a horror,” Maggie laughed, “horror-ble.”
“It’s a fucking comedy.” Ben choked out a laugh.
“One dollar, Uncle Ben,” Becca said as she bounced into the living room.
“Oh, shit,” Max laughed.
Becca stared up at her uncle and held out her other hand.
“I already gave you twenty dollars two days ago, half-pint. I’m covered.”
Becca shook her head as if knowing already that her uncle was a hot mess.
“Do you like my dress, Uncle Max? Holly said it’s the most beautiful flower girl dress she’s ever made.”
“That’s because it is,” Jake’s cousin Holly said behind Becca. She was a fashion designer in New York but she’d flown in for Max and Devlin’s wedding.
One thing could be said for the Sumner family, they were a tight-knit group even if they lived all over the country.
“And you weren’t supposed to be down here showing off your dress, missy,” Holly said, hands on hips. Her long caramel-colored hair hung over her shoulder in a thick braid.
“I’m sorry.” Becca pouted as she twirled around. “It’s so pretty.” She looked up at Holly, which wasn’t hard since Holly was so petite, like her mother, Sally.
“It is pretty, half pint,” Max said, squatting down and examining the dress. “What does Aunt Devlin’s look like?”
Becca opened her mouth to answer but Holly quickly covered half her face with her hand.
“No you don’t. No hints about Devlin’s dress,” Holly said. “Her rule.”
Lina smiled. Max wouldn’t be disappointed. Devlin’s dress was breathtaking—a v-necked, empire waist design that showed off her best features, wrapping elegantly around her and cascading down her body. Lina had seen it earlier and it truly was breathtaking. Devlin looked like a goddess—a very pregnant goddess, but ench
anting just the same.
Devlin had once balked at getting married while she was pregnant, but after Sally assured her Holly could make her something extraordinary, she’d finally agreed. But only if Becca would be her flower girl. Which, of course, Becca was more than happy to do. Her only request—she wanted her hair done like Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Since one of Sally’s other daughters was a hairstylist, Becca’s wish would come true. Along with Max’s.
“Well, there you go,” Grant said, “we can’t watch the movie now. Half-pint’s here. No scary movies.”
Holly answered before Becca could. “Aunt Val, my mom, and Becca’s grandmother are coming to get us soon for our own movie night,” Holly said. “None of us do scary movies.” She glanced down at Becca and they both shuddered.
“Can I come with you?” Lina asked, starting to rise.
“No you don’t,” Jake said, tugging her back. He leaned in toward her, his lips brushing her ear. “Becca’s spending the night with my mom. We have an entire evening to ourselves.”
Lina’s insides melted at the idea of spending an entire night alone in a bed with Jake. Over the past few weeks they’d had to get creative with their lovemaking. It wasn’t easy when you had a five-year-old underfoot all the time, but she loved Becca. In fact, she no longer remembered all the reasons she didn’t want to have children. She didn’t know if they’d ever have their own, but she loved the life they shared with Becca.
And she loved Jake. Something that had been hard for her to admit to herself, and to him.
“What?” he asked staring down at her.
She shook her head and kissed his cheek. “Nothing.” She nestled in close to him and felt a bulge in his pants. Her brows went high. “Jake,” she whispered, cutting her eyes around the room.
“What?” He studied her like she was crazy.
She wiggled her hips against the very hard protrusion in his pants. It was square.
He laughed. “It’s a rock.”
“Why do you have a rock in your pocket?” she asked.
“I gave it to him,” Ben answered.
Her eyes went from Ben to Maggie’s, who looked like she was holding back a smirk.
She sat up straighter. “What?”
“Kissing Cave?” Jake asked, hopefully.
She knew the legend of the cave. Kiss someone inside and it was true love. She knew Ben and Maggie had kissed there. Jake’s brother Emmett and his fiancée Elle, too. Hell, even the boys’ mother and her husband had their names etched on the walls. Was she ready for that yet, though?
