by Donna Alward
“Come upstairs,” Rick suggested. “We’ll crawl under the covers and stay warm. It’s silly to stay down here.”
“Maybe I should go. My big sale starts tomorrow and I need to be in the shop early…”
“I’ll set the alarm and get you there in lots of time. Promise.”
The idea of being wrapped in Rick’s arms all night was alluring. Things were moving forward in a big way. It did seem like they were heading into relationship territory.
“Jess?”
She put her hand in his. “Okay. But you have to set your alarm for early. I mean it. Like six o’clock.”
He chuckled. “I’m usually up by then anyway. Old habits.”
They got up and she followed him to the stairs. Before long they were under the quilts, snuggled in against the cold. It felt so surreal, being here, being in his room, in his arms. Like she belonged.
That was perhaps the scariest thing of all, and at the same time the most exciting.
* * *
Rick stared at the dark ceiling for a long time after Jess’s breathing evened out. God, what a day. When he’d agreed to go to Sarah’s for dinner he’d pictured food and football. Instead he’d been put through the wringer.
Mike didn’t scare him, but he sure as hell scared Jess and that made Rick see red. It had taken all his self-control to not beat the man to a pulp, but he’d held back knowing how much it would distress Jess. All except that one punch. It had been smart, sending Jess inside for a few minutes. Because Rick had taken that time to make it very clear what would happen if Mike came within a hundred yards of Jess.
Not that Mike would listen. He was too full of himself for that. Too used to getting his way and using intimidation to ensure it. Of course, he didn’t think Rick would follow through. And that was Mike’s biggest mistake.
Rick would protect Jess no matter what. Tomorrow Josh, Tom, and Bryce would be getting phone calls. As long as Mike was in town, he didn’t want Jess alone.
Which was why he’d asked her in tonight. He just hadn’t expected it to end in a baring of souls. Part of him felt better, finally talking about Kyle.
But other parts of him were scared shitless. It wasn’t just sex with Jess. It was more. It always would have been. But damn, she had a way of getting too close. In the past he would have backed away and let her go home. But not tonight. Not after everything that had happened today, so he’d brought her back upstairs and held her close and wondered how the hell he’d managed to get caught up in this mess.
CHAPTER 18
By eleven o’clock, Jess’s store was packed.
Whoever said Black Friday sales were limited to department stores and online giants had never been on Jewell Cove’s Main Street the day after Thanksgiving. Sure, some ventured into the bigger shopping areas and outlet stores for major deals, but one thing was for certain: the residents of the cove turned out to support their local businesses.
Jess was run off her feet already, and she took a moment to gather her hair up in a loose topknot just to keep the warm weight of it off the back of her neck. Her Christmas stock was going fast, but so was her supply of jewelry, candles, and yarn. If customers weren’t decorating for Christmas, they were buying presents or planning knit and crochet projects. Best of all, Rick’s items were flying off the shelves.
“Jess, have you got any more of those peppermint-scented pillar candles?” Georgia McKinnon, the new fourth-grade teacher, looked up hopefully. “I love those candles.”
Jess did a quick check and discovered the spot on the shelf was empty. “You hold on a minute, and I’ll check the back,” Jess assured her. She glanced at her mother, who was tidying the yarn shelf for the third time that morning. “Mom, will you watch the register?”
Meggie gave her the thumbs-up and Jess disappeared into the back—only to come face-to-face with Rick.
She pressed her hand to her heart. “Oh my goodness, you scared me! What are you doing back here?”
“I came in a while ago, but you were stocking your soaps and didn’t see me.”
She flushed a bit. Rick had dropped her off shortly after six and had come in with her, indulging in some very long and distracting kisses before announcing he had some errands to run. She’d tried to hide her disappointment … it had been amazing, waking up with him next to her. Seeing his lashes on his cheeks as he slept, feeling his body curl around hers in the moments before he woke … that was special.
The truth was, she suspected she was falling in love with Rick. Not that she was in any particular hurry to say anything about it. It was so new, far too early to start dissecting feelings when their relationship still felt tenuous.
Still, looking up at him as he stood in her workroom, she felt a familiar glow that seemed to happen whenever he was around.
“It’s crazy in here today. I’m going to have to see if Tessa can work an extra few days just so I can replenish some of my stock. And here I thought I was finished sewing those blasted tartan stockings.” She grinned.
“I thought you could use some help today, but if I’m in the way just let me know. I can take a hint.”
She shook her head. “Not in the way at all. I can use the help. Just let me check on an item here and I’ll be right back.”
She grabbed a half-dozen candles to restock the shelf, pleased at both the offer and his presence. Within moments she’d sold two peppermint candles to Georgia and was back in the storeroom again.
“Let me give you the nickel tour,” she suggested, meeting his gaze. She couldn’t get distracted; there was too much to do. Maybe she’d cook for him later to show her appreciation …
Jess opened the door to the stock cupboard. “In here you’ll find tissue for wrapping delicate items and shopping bags, which we keep under the counter at the front. This,” she pointed to a small cardboard box, “is cash register tape in case it runs out. If you can check to make sure we have lots of everything under the counter, that’d be great.”
“Yes, boss,” he intoned seriously, a little smile twitching at the corner of his mouth.
She smiled back and led him to a storage room where she kept her stock. She flipped on a light and led him into the narrow space between several rows of shelving.
“This is my stock. Everything is tagged, so it just needs to go on the shelf. This section is jewelry, and it’s organized very specifically so that nothing gets mixed up or knotted.” She gestured further. “Along here are my soaps, each container marked with the scent, and the same with the candles. Scent, then size. Yarn is here, and this whole shelf is quilting fabric. Along here we have sewing and knitting supplies. Then the consignment items…” She hesitated, looking over her shoulder at him to make sure he was still following along. “Each one is marked by name, not item. And finally, we have the fun section. Kids’ stuff for the kid corner. Puzzles, toys, that sort of thing. I’ve got a sale on puppets and brain twisters today, so those might disappear faster than usual.”
“How on earth do you keep track of all of this?”
Jess laughed. “My favorite thing. Paperwork. Add in accounting and staying in the good graces of the IRS, and there’s more of it than I’d like.”
“Have you thought about hiring an accountant?”
“Maybe, when the shop is doing a little bit better. I try to do as much as I can on my own to reduce my overhead.”
“Like living here?”
“Beats having rent on two places.”
“Right.”
They backed out of the closet. Jess was a little disappointed he hadn’t tried to sneak another kiss along the way, but on the other hand she really should get back to the front of the store.
“So, are you up to it?”
“I think I can handle it. I’ll check the bags and tissue first, how about that?”
On impulse, Jess went up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “That sounds great. Don’t forget to pimp your ornaments either, Rick. They’re almost gone and I want a new supply for the Evergreen
Festival.”
With a wink she disappeared back into the store.
The business was brisk but Jess was always aware of Rick nearby, talking to the customers, straightening shelves, opening the door for them, or helping Meggie—who was significantly shorter than Jess or Rick—reach items on some of the upper shelves. Once, when Jess was at the cash register ringing in a particularly large order, Rick stepped up and wrapped each fragile item in tissue and bagged it. She could smell his body wash or whatever he was wearing, the scent becoming familiar now the more time they spent together. During a lull, he grabbed a broom and swept the floor, and at one o’clock they realized no one had had lunch and he zipped off to the café to pick up sandwiches and coffee for everyone. When he got back, Jess let Meggie and Tessa eat first, and when they were done she and Rick went to the back room to eat together.
“Is it always this crazy?” he asked, opening his carton and picking up half of his turkey salad sandwich.
“Not at all. Well, sometimes in the summer it gets crazy, when the tourists are here and the weather’s good. It’s been particularly busy today, which is very good for my bottom line.”
“I’m really impressed, Jess. I’m starting to see how much work goes into this place and how you handle it with, well, ‘ease’ is probably the best word. You must really love it.”
She beamed at him. “I do. It’s not perfect, and it can be a bit of a challenge owning your own business, you know? But I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Opening her own carton, she grabbed her sandwich and took a bite of fresh bread, still slightly warm. Wiping her mouth on a napkin, she laughed. “I should have known turkey would be on special the day after Thanksgiving,” she said. “No one makes turkey salad like Gus.”
“I bet there’s a secret ingredient.”
“Probably.”
“If there is, he’ll take it to his grave.” Rick finished his first half in record time. “If Gus ever leaves, I don’t know what they’ll do.”
For a few more minutes they ate, comfortable with the silence between them. When the last crumb was consumed, Rick sat back and rubbed his belly. “That hit the spot.”
Jess nodded. “It did, but I should get back. Both Mom and Tessa are leaving at three. I need to take advantage of their help while I’ve got it.”
“I’ll stay until closing. So you don’t have to be here alone,” he added.
There was something in the way he said it that twigged with Jess. What was his underlying reason? To help? Or to make sure she wasn’t alone? This couldn’t be about Mike, could it?
She dismissed the thought and wondered if she might be just a little bit paranoid. They’d made their point to Mike yesterday and up until now he’d kept his promise to Josh. Meeting had been unpleasant and damned uncomfortable, but a day later she was able to see things more clearly. Rick was just here to help. Maybe he wanted to spend more time with her after last night. The thought sent a warmth rushing through her and she smiled a little to herself. Besides, an extra set of hands for the remainder of the afternoon would be very welcome.
“Since I haven’t paid you for today, how about you stay for dinner? I can promise there won’t be turkey on the menu.”
Rick closed up his container and brushed his hands together. “How can I refuse an offer like that?” he asked, getting up and pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“Besides,” he murmured, his lips close to her skin, “it gives me more time with you.”
The warm feeling remained throughout the afternoon as Rick stayed and they closed up the store together. She’d been right after all. He simply wanted more time with her, and nothing could have pleased her more.
* * *
After the holiday craziness, the next days settled down a bit and Rick worked on a few of his made-to-order projects. Right now he was replacing the last hinge on the front of the grandfather clock in Abby and Tom’s hall.
The workmanship was solid, but the age of the piece dictated he be incredibly careful. He’d even questioned Tom’s judgment in tinkering with it at all, voicing the opinion that altering the glass on the door would affect its worth. But Tom had argued that he and Abby weren’t worried about that, and so he’d removed the door, taken it to his studio, and painted a simple design of an apple blossom branch holding a pair of fat chickadees.
Tom stood behind him, watching the progress. “Dude, you continually surprise me,” he said.
“I get that a lot.” Finished, Rick looked over his shoulder and grinned. “Hope your wife likes it.”
“She will. Listen, are you busy tonight?”
He thought about the boxes of ornaments he had ready to go to Jess’s. “I can make time. I’ve got to drop a few things off at Jess’s…”
“A few things, huh? How are things with you two?”
Rick chuckled. “Things are none of your damned business, bro.”
A full-throated laugh echoed through the hall. “Right. Well, good for you guys. It’s about time. For both of you.”
As much as Rick was enjoying being with Jess, he wasn’t sure he was ready for everyone to pair them off as a big thing. “I’m just looking out for her, that’s all,” he insisted. He stood up and brushed his hands on his jeans, wondering if he was as transparent as he felt.
“I hope not, Rick. She deserves more than someone keeping an eye out, you know? And if you’re playing around with her…”
“Relax,” he said quietly. “A guy can do both, you know. But you didn’t hear that from me.”
Tom relaxed, but only slightly. “Anything happening with the asshole?”
“Not that I can tell.”
“Hopefully Mike will be out of town soon and she won’t have to worry about it.”
“Amen to that,” Rick agreed. “So, what’s up with tonight?”
“I was thinking it’d be nice for you and Jess to come to dinner. We haven’t really had anyone over since the wedding, and now that you and Jess aren’t sniping at each other all the time…”
Rick laughed. “Yeah, yeah. I get it.”
“So what do you think?”
“I’ll have to check with her. She’ll have to close up first.”
“Just give Abby a call when you know for sure. Hopefully I’ll see you later. I’d better get down to the job site before my foreman fires me.” He grinned and clapped Rick on the shoulder.
When Rick stopped at Treasures to deliver his ornaments, Jess was alone, knitting on the yellow blanket again.
“Wow, it’s almost done,” he noticed, looking at the long waterfall of lacy yellow yarn.
“Getting there. Snatching time to work on it is tricky. At this rate I won’t finish it until Christmas.”
He lifted the box. “Brought you some stuff as promised. Since you just happened to sell out last weekend.”
“Oh, great! I’ll take anything you can spare.” She moved to put down her knitting but Rick shook his head.
“Don’t get up. I’ll put this in the back.”
He put the box on the back worktable and then came back out front. “Listen, Tom and Abby have asked us over for dinner tonight. You up for it?”
She looked up. “I guess so. What’s the occasion?”
“According to Tom, there isn’t any. Just hanging out.”
If she was with him he didn’t have to worry about Mike … who was still in town even though Thanksgiving was well over. The only thing that kept the “boys” from pressing him to go was the knowledge that Karen had taken a turn for the worse and it would probably soon be over.
“I’ll call Tom and let him know,” Rick said, leaning over the counter and giving her forehead a quick kiss.
“That’s okay. I’ll call Abby. I should ask if she wants me to bring anything anyway. Pick me up at six?”
“Perfect.” It would give him time to go home and get cleaned up properly.
At six on the dot he was at her back door and she was ready. They drove out to Blackberry Hill while sm
all flakes of snow fluttered in the air. The wind blew from the north and Rick looked over at Jess, bundled up in her wool coat and pretty scarf and felt his heart constrict. God, she was so beautiful. Too beautiful for him. He couldn’t help feeling that something this good wasn’t going to last.
The house on Blackberry Hill was stunning. For the first time in several years, it was decorated for the holidays. Now that Thanksgiving had passed, Abby had gone all-out with the decorations. Evergreen boughs with wide red bows festooned the railings between the stately pillars and again on the faux widow’s walk. A gigantic wreath hung on the door. The house looked different in the evening, when everything was lit up by a fairyland of tiny white lights, and a floodlight highlighting the front columns. It was good to see it brought to life again.
Rick parked and went around to open Jess’s door. “Thanks,” she said, and he noticed a little flush to her cheeks.
“What, you don’t think I have manners?” he teased.
“Oh, I know you have manners. It’s not that. It feels a little weird. Us,” she clarified.
“Weird good or weird bad?” He looked over at her as they walked toward the house.
“Weird good. Weird different.” She shrugged. “A few months ago I never would have thought we’d be on friendly terms, let alone…”
“Sleeping together?” he finished for her.
Her blush deepened. He liked it.
“Yeah, that,” she replied.
He put out his hand and stopped her from climbing the steps. “You,” he said quietly, “are incredible. I hope you know that.”
“Rick,” she said, and his heart constricted at the wistful tone of her voice. For the first time they were going somewhere as a couple. Thanksgiving had been different. It had been less of a statement. More of a test run.
Tonight was one couple having dinner with another couple. It was another first for them. “I’m not in any rush. We take things one day at a time, right? Just like we always have. I just wanted to say it. You’re a special woman, Jess. Don’t ever let anyone take that away from you.”
