by Danni Rose
He walked into the bedroom and handed her a cup of coffee. "What's on your agenda today?"
"I'm sending out more press releases about the award and show. When I've done that, I'll follow up with telephone calls."
"Sounds like a full day. Too busy for lunch?"
"I'd never miss an opportunity to enjoy food prepared by my favorite chef."
"Good." He kissed her until her brain stopped functioning.
There was something she had to do. Work. She shook her finger at him. "Stop distracting me. Don't you remember, how upset my boss gets when I'm late."
After making several calls, she was taking a coffee break when her phone rang. Without checking the caller identification, she pressed the talk button. Twenty minutes later the call ended. She set the phone on the desk and stared at it.
"Amber?"
She looked at Mason. "Huh?"
"What's wrong? Has something happened?"
"Mr. Albright called."
"From the bank?"
She nodded. "He offered me the job."
"It's what you want, right?"
"Yes." Amber waited for the thrill, the elation.
"You don't sound happy. If it's not what you want, it wouldn't be a mistake to change your mind."
"This is everything I've wanted. I'm just in shock."
"Okay. Well, we have to celebrate tonight."
She needed time to figure out why she wasn't happy. "I want to celebrate, but tonight I have to go home. I'll be back tomorrow. Can we celebrate then?"
"Oh. Sure. When do you start?"
"An orientation class begins two weeks after I take the exam. They'd like me to start in time to attend it."
"How about the salary? Is it what you wanted?"
"It's more than I expected." Amber forced a smile. "I got the job."
"Yes, you did." Mason kissed her. "We'll open a bottle of your favorite champagne to celebrate."
"Will we have the world-famous chef's stuffed mushrooms and crab tartlets with our drinks?" She gave him a flirty smile and fluttered her lashes.
"How can I deny such a sweet request?"
CHAPTER TEN
Amber clutched the steering wheel as she drove away from The Mill. In her rear view mirror, she saw Mason standing in the driveway. A deep frown covered his face. Did he look sad, or did she imagine it?
She parked in her garage, carried the bags into the house, and turned on the lights. The house was quiet—too quiet. She went into the living room and, with a heavy sigh, dropped into her favorite chair.
Since making the decision to move to New York, she knew it would be difficult to leave town and her family. But how was she going to say goodbye to Mason? She needed time. Her feelings for him were confusing. Was it only friendship or something more? Dreams were important, but what about love?
She'd planned, studied, worked, and sacrificed to move to New York. Now, the bank offered her the job she needed to make her dreams a reality. Handling the marketing for the Inn was fun, exciting, and a challenge, but marketing was a cutthroat profession. No matter how much she loved the work, she couldn't cope with the uncertainty of marketing jobs. She needed security. An accounting position would give her that.
After Amber finished her laundry and another sample test, she changed into her favorite satin sleep shorts and camisole. Tired, she climbed into bed. Amber turned over, adjusted her pillow, and turned over again. When she slept with Mason, she had no trouble falling asleep. The excitement of being offered the job must be keeping her awake. Her restlessness couldn't be because she missed Mason, could it?
Pounding? Was she dreaming? She kept her eyes closed and rolled to her side. The pounding started again. Then the doorbell rang and rang and rang. Was someone leaning on the blasted thing? Forced to open her eyes, she checked the time. Two o'clock.
She crawled out of bed and grabbed her robe. What fool visited at this hour? Had something happened? Yawning, she walked from the bedroom into the hall. Before she got to the door, she stubbed her toe on a table. Damn! This better be important.
The doorbell kept ringing. If Amber had a hammer, she'd break that blasted doorbell. Then the pounding started again.
Limping, Amber flipped the light switch and shaded her eyes to dim the light's glare. She'd never noticed how bright the hall lights were.
"Who's there?" she yelled. Switching on the porch light, she looked through the peephole.
"Amber, I want to talk to you."
"Mason? What are you doing here?" She wrestled with the lock and latch until they were both released. Whipping the door open, she demanded, "Will you please get off the doorbell."
Mason turned in a circle. "What doorbell?"
Good grief. The man was smashed. Amber looked up and down the street. She didn't see anyone, but most sane people were in bed. With a shake of her head, she grabbed his hand and pulled him into the house.
"Why are you here?"
"I have something to tell you."
"Maybe you should wait until tomorrow."
"No." He waved his hands, and she stepped back. "This is important."
"Okay, but you can tell me in the bedroom."
"Nope, can't wait."
"All right. What do you want to tell me?" She waited.
Mason looked at her and blinked—twice.
She prayed for patience while fighting her laughter. With a shake of her head, she pulled him to the bedroom.
"Wait. I remember now."
"Good." Amber pushed him until he sat on the bed. She pulled off his jacket and the tee shirt he wore. Deciding not to wait for him to tell her what was so important that he had to wake her at two in the morning, she removed his shoes and socks.
Mason leaned close as though he wanted to tell her a secret. In a loud whisper, he said, "I love you. How can I love you if you go to New York?"
Amber stood up so fast she hit him on the chin and watched as he fell back. She jumped on the bed and lifted his head. "Are you all right?"
His eyes were closed. Amber cringed at a snore that sounded like Darth Vader with a cold. Mason had declared his love, but would he remember in the morning? Had he meant it, or was it the liquor talking?
She shook her head. If he slept with his legs hanging over the side of the bed, he'd wake with an aching back. She pulled on his thighs to get him on the bed, but wrestling one hundred and seventy pounds of dead weight wasn't easy. He didn't budge.
Amber crawled onto the bed and cuddled next to him. He rolled his head against her shoulder. She sighed when he snored in her ear.
The next morning, she woke to a quiet room. Her last memory was of Mason throwing his arm over her stomach and pulling her closer. His snoring had echoed in her head. She needed to buy a good pair of earplugs. Then she remembered the job offer.
Not wanting to disturb him, she slipped out from under his arm. She watched him. He looked so peaceful. She took a deep breath. Women wanted him for his handsome face and muscular body. Men saw the success he'd achieved and envied him. But to her, his caring heart, intelligence, and talent made him special.
She went to make coffee. While it brewed, she took a shower and dressed. Opening the medicine cabinet, she pulled out a bottle of aspirin. Mason would need it. After getting coffee, she went to wake him. Even with the aspirins, he'd suffer from his over-indulgence.
When she returned to the bedroom, he was lying on his back with a pillow over his head.
She smiled. "Are you hiding?"
There was a muffled expletive, and he muttered, "Stop making so much noise."
Amber fought her laughter. "I brought you coffee and aspirin."
"Thank God. Could you hook the coffee into an IV and just pump it into my veins?"
Her laughter burst free.
"No noise! Please."
She shook two pills from the bottle. "Here, these will help."
Mason peeked out from under the pillow. He groaned and closed his eyes again. "Nope."
She set h
er hands on her hips. "What do you mean 'nope'?"
"Nope, I can't be here. I was at the restaurant, planning next week's menu and having a glass of wine…or, was it cognac?"
"Based on the state you were in when you got here, I'd guess you had both."
He opened one eye. "I think you're right. It's possible I finished the bottle of wine and switched to the cognac."
"It might not have been the best decision to mix your drinks."
"I figured they were both alcohols."
She huffed. "Take these aspirins and drink your coffee."
Pressing a hand to his forehead, Mason struggled to sit. He held a shaking hand out to her. "I see that grin on your face. You're not allowed to laugh."
She bit her lip and stared at the ceiling.
"Are you going to give me the pills or let me suffer?"
She handed him the aspirins and the cup of coffee.
After he swallowed the tablets, he asked, "How did I get here?"
Amber tilted her head to look at him. "I don't know. Around two o'clock someone pounded on my door. It was you."
"Two o'clock—in the morning?"
"Yup."
Mason rubbed his chin. "Why did I come here?"
"You had something important you wanted to tell me."
"What did I say?"
Amber studied his face, his eyes. He didn't remember. She couldn't handle the pain if he said it had been the alcohol talking. She shrugged. "You fell asleep."
"I didn't say anything?"
"Uh—no." She fought to hide her disappointment. "You fell asleep. You don't remember what you wanted to say?"
"No." Mason leaned back against the headboard. "Could I have more coffee? The aspirins need a minute to work their miracle."
Mason watched the sway of Amber's hips as she walked out. He sighed and slid his arm over his eyes. Why was she lying? Parts of last night were fuzzy, but he remembered saying 'I love you' before he sank into the depths of his intoxication. Didn't she care how he felt? Maybe he'd misread her, and she felt nothing more for him than friendship.
He moaned. Not since he'd been a teenager had he drunk so much, but he'd been feeling hopeless. He didn't want Amber to leave. It didn't matter how much he drank, or how many aspirins he took, nothing would ease his pain when she moved to New York.
Amber returned with coffee. "Do you want breakfast?"
"Ugh. No." He wiped his hand over his mouth. "I'm hoping a shower will help."
"I'm sure you'll feel better—eventually." She giggled and left the room.
After he showered, he wrapped a towel around his waist and went to look for his clothes. They were on the bed. Amber must have washed them because they didn't smell of the alcohol he'd consumed. He dressed and went to find her.
She sat at the kitchen table, drinking coffee. Staring at—nothing?
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
Amber jumped, and her coffee sloshed onto the table.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
She got a cloth and cleaned the table. "Not your fault. I was day-dreaming."
He sat next to her. "About what?"
She shook head. "I'll give you a ride home."
What would she do if he declared his love again? His lips tightened. He couldn't be the reason she gave up her dream. If she stayed in Serenity Bay, it had to be her decision.
"I thought you were coming to stay for the weekend and to celebrate?"
"I figured, being under the weather you'd want to skip it."
He slapped his hands together then groaned. "After I take a few more aspirins, I'll feel better. Besides, we have to celebrate your success."
"If you're sure. There's no one I'd rather celebrate with than you."
"Grab your bag, and we'll go to The Mill."
After eating lunch, Mason felt much better. Amber studied and took sample tests while he put together the menus for the following week. After working for an hour, Mason had only planned one meal and had written nothing on the grocery list. He thought about Amber and her job offer. If they discussed her move to New York, maybe she'd change her mind.
Amber cleared her throat.
Mason looked at her. "Are you all right?"
"I—I'm taking the job in New York."
"Oh." He nodded. "Okay."
"I will visit my parents tomorrow to tell them."
"Okay."
"Do you want a glass of lemonade?"
"Okay." Good grief, he sounded like an idiot. He stared at his computer. She'd told him not to get serious, that she planned to move, so why was he hurt, disappointed.
Last night, he considered the possibility of moving back to New York to open a restaurant there. Could he give up his dream for Amber?
Mason rubbed his forehead. His dream was to open a restaurant and bed-and-breakfast and to live in Serenity Bay. He loved this town and the house where he'd spent his childhood. Unlike New York, here there were no strangers, and everyone kept an eye on their neighbors.
Could he have a long distance relationship with Amber? Their jobs were demanding and didn't leave much free time. His shoulders drooped. He had to let her go. Someday he might learn to live with the pain of her leaving, but he'd never forget her.
Tossing aside the papers he'd been reading, he went to the kitchen. Amber stood at the counter with her back to him. Mason wrapped his arms around her waist. When she turned her head to look at him, he kissed her. With a light, teasing touch, he slid his lips over her neck and circled her ear. He grinned when she shivered.
"I know you have to follow your dream, but I'll miss you."
She turned and brushed her fingers over his face. "It won't be easy to leave Serenity Bay, or you, but I've worked hard for this."
"I understand." He brushed his lips over her eyes and cheeks. With need racing through him, he captured her lips in a kiss filled with a longing for what could never be. Not until she whimpered did he release her.
She laid his hand over her heart. "Even though we're not together, you will always be with me."
He took her hand and walked to the bedroom. Eager to get her clothes off, he didn't care that the buttons flew off her shirt as he pushed it over her head. Their loving was frenzied, violent. It was as though they were desperate to imprint themselves on each other's souls. Although they'd made love twice, Mason wanted her again. He propped his head on his hand and watched her sleep.
How was he supposed to live without her? She had become an essential part of his life. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and grinned when she wrinkled her nose. Still wound up, he put on his jeans and went to make her appetizers. Last night, before his run-in with the wine and cognac, he'd prepared her favorite dessert—a Heaven's Delight torte.
After making more of Amber's favorites, he cleaned the kitchen. When he heard a soft yawn, he looked up and saw her shuffling across the floor. Her eyes were more closed than open.
He pulled her into his arms. "I wanted to kiss you awake."
She hugged him. "I didn't expect to sleep so long."
He led her to the sofa. "I'm not surprised. Some rummy woke you at two this morning, and you're dealing with the stress of making a major change in your life."
"I'd like something to drink." Her stomach rumbled. "And something to eat."
Mason laughed. "I think we'll save the champagne for another time. How about an Arnold Palmer while we wait for the appetizers? They should be ready in fifteen minutes."
"I'd love an Arnie. Is it true he created the drink?"
"That's the story. He'd go into restaurants and ask for a glass of half iced tea and half lemonade."
After he placed their drinks on the coffee table, he sat with an arm around her shoulders.
Amber inhaled. "My mouth is watering. You are lucky to be doing what you love. Not all of us are so lucky."
Mason frowned. "Isn't that why you're taking the job in New York? To do what you love?"
"I enjoy working with numbers, although it
won't be as fun as handling the marketing for the Inn. But I need a stable job and working as a financial analyst will give me financial security. If I want to live in a city like New York, I must have a steady income."
Before Mason could question her, the timer for the oven buzzed. He went to take the stuffed mushrooms and crab tartlets out of the oven. "I also made an artichoke bruschetta. It's a recipe I wanted to try before using it in the restaurant."
"That sounds yummy."
"The cable channel is having a monster movie marathon tonight. They're showing your favorites, The Thing from Another World and Invasion of the Body Snatchers."
Amber clapped. "Now I'm glad I napped. Do we have popcorn for later?"
"Of course. I made fresh batches of iced tea and lemonade, and I have your favorite snacks."
Amber wore a huge smile. "Let the fun begin."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
After a late night of monster movies and making love, it was noon by the time Amber drove to her parent's farm. When she walked into the house, her mom and dad were setting the table to eat lunch.
"Why didn't you let us know you were coming?" her mother scolded as she hugged Amber.
"I wanted to surprise you."
Her father hugged her too. "Sit. Do you want something to eat? We have plenty."
"No, thanks, but I'd love a cup of coffee."
Her mother got Amber's favorite cup out of the cupboard and filled it.
"How are you, sweetheart?" asked her father.
To give herself a minute, Amber took a drink of coffee. "You still make the best coffee, Mom."
Janet said, "You're stalling."
"You always could see through me." Amber set her cup on the table. "I had my interview in New York."
Janet nodded. "We remember. You were so excited."
"They called and offered me the job." Amber watched her parents and tried to judge their reaction.
"I see." Her father said, but there was no joy in his words or on his face.
Amber nodded. "The job is with an international bank as a financial analyst."
Her father's hand lay on the table in a tight fist, and her mother put her hand over his. "Joe."
