Unplanned Love

by Roberta Capizzi

  “I’ve grown so used to them, I don’t even notice them anymore. But this quiet… it makes my thoughts so loud it scares me.”

  He chuckled again, coming up on her left side. He tilted his head to the side, studying her with amusement in his eyes.

  “So, you’re scared of dogs and spiders. And of silence too. Anything else? The bogeyman perhaps?”

  She cut him a side glance and he grinned in response. A cheeky grin that was as sexy as it was infuriating. “I’m not exactly fond of snakes, but as long as they don’t bite me, I’m good.”

  “So you’re more scared of cute puppies than you are of poisonous, mortal snakes?” His eyes widened in mock shock.

  “Ha ha. That one was funny.” She glowered, and he smiled broadly. She should’ve enjoyed the quiet and let her thoughts take her wherever they wanted to. Now she’ll probably have to endure an endless session of banter that would make her wish she hadn’t gone out riding with him. “Well, I’m sorry my fears don’t make sense to you, Braveheart. What are you scared of?”

  “Nothing that can be touched.” His reply was immediate, as if he hadn’t even needed to think. He shrugged and his face turned serious. Uh-oh. Had she struck a nerve? “I’m scared of losing my family, like it happened with Hannah, Adam’s first wife. And looking at how happy he is again, thanks to Ellie, I’m scared I’ll never find that kind of love even once in my life, let alone twice, like my brother did.”

  Wow. The scale had tipped a bit more in his favor after that answer. Perhaps there was more to him than she’d seen so far—more than the guy who always seemed to enjoy some good-natured ribbing at her expense. She stared surreptitiously at him, trying to get a read on his feelings, trying to see behind that joker mask, and lost herself for a long moment in his handsome face and perfect profile. Why did he have to look so… yummy? She blinked away the thought, along with the feeling of those delicious lips claiming hers.

  It was only a dream, get a grip!

  “So, how did you decide to become a wedding planner?” The sudden change of subject threw her off, and she wobbled on the saddle. Well, he probably didn’t want to talk about love or feelings right now—which was totally fine with her. She’d already told him her sorry tale the night of the wedding, thanks to too much champagne. She wasn’t looking forward to talking about Lousy Pig again.

  “I’m an event planner, not just a wedding planner.” He raised his palms and smiled in apology. “Truth is, my dream was to manage a small inn of my own. When I was a little girl, my mom used to help out in a cozy inn in San Antonio, and the owners let me tag along. I fell in love with the place and decided that one day I’d run an inn like that, where couples and families would come to unwind and feel at home. That’s why I pursued a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management at San Francisco State University.”

  She waited for Kean to come up with some smartass comeback, but he didn’t. She’d never told anyone about her dream, apart from Ellie and her family. She’d almost forgotten how important it had been for her, up until she graduated.

  “Then what happened?” he asked, pulling her out of her musings.

  “During one of our rom-com marathons in college Ellie picked this movie about a wedding planner, and I thought it was cool. It didn’t hurt that she ended up with a hot guy in the end.”

  He chuckled. “And you were hoping you’d meet a hot guy, too? Maybe the best man in one of the weddings?”

  She shrugged, faking nonchalance. She wasn’t going to admit straight out that at the time both friends had hoped they would. But hey, she bet half the women who’d watched the movie had dreamed they could be in the heroine’s shoes.

  “It was actually Ellie who suggested I could become one, since she knew I was a planning freak. So after I graduated, I took a course for wedding planners and another one for event coordinators, and ended up working for one of the most prestigious planning companies in San Francisco.”

  “And then a man came and stole your job.”

  “He’s a leech, not a man.” The words left her mouth before she’d even had the time to think them. She’d thought she’d gotten over it by now, but the way her pride stung made her realize perhaps she’d been lying to herself. “But I’ve decided to take it as a sign that I’m meant for something better. I’m determined to use the opportunity to build a greater career for myself and prove what I’m worth to everyone. I give him four months, maybe six, before Penelope realizes he’s not good enough for that position. Then the idiot will be sorry she chose him over me, but that should teach her a lesson.”

  He whistled. “Well, wow. You’re scarier now than the day you aimed your .45 at my face.”

  “It was a .38!” She stressed the exasperation in her voice just to tease him because, in all honesty, she had started enjoying their constant banter.

  He chuckled. “Sorry, I’m not as good as you with firearms. I make love, not war.”

  Oh. My. God. Had he just said the words ‘make love’ in front of her as if he were talking about the weather? Her body lit up like a fourth of July firework, while the image of his delicious body all naked and sweaty on top of her took up her whole vision, to the point she could no longer see the path in front of her. She needed to see a doctor. She knew there was only a small clinic in town, but there was a bigger hospital some twenty minutes outside town. They must have a good shrink there, right? Someone who could help her understand what was wrong with her brain lately. And if that didn’t work, she should probably find an exorcist. If a naughty, sex-addicted ghost had taken residence in her body, it would explain why she was having these thoughts about a guy who was as delicious as he was annoying—and wrong for her. And she should really stop thinking about him as delicious. Because every time the word entered her mind, it was accompanied by an image of her licking chocolate off him—and that was definitely not like her at all.

  “Um… good for you,” she said, her voice a little squeaky. “Should we head back now?”

  “Why, are you scared of being alone in the woods with me?”

  Uh, yeah?

  But she was no longer scared of what he could do, rather of what she might do. Like, pull him off that horse and kiss him until they could no longer breathe. Yes, there had to be a ghost vacationing in her body, because in all of her twenty-nine years she’d never had a similar thought about any other man. She’d never even had any kind of naughty thoughts about any of the guys she’d dated in the past. So why him?

  His chuckle brought her back to the present, where those delicious dark eyes were staring at her with amusement.

  Ugh! Would you stop using that stupid word already?

  “Can you hold on five minutes longer? I want to show you a nice spot.”

  She didn’t think it could get any nicer than this, unless maybe if he removed his jacket and sweater and she could get a glimpse of that muscular chest…

  Oh my God, get out of my head, you pervy poltergeist!

  She swatted her hand in front of her and realized a beat too late that he was watching. Could the ground open up right about now?

  “Um, a bee.” She put on the most fake smile and his frown proved she wasn’t going to win an award for her performance. Whatever.

  He trotted in front of her and a moment later they reached a shallow stream.

  “We’re nearly there,” he said, his voice deep and warm like dark, hot chocolate. Seriously? Could this ghost get any cheesier?

  “Here we are.”

  Two minutes and fifteen seconds later, which she knew because she’d started counting seconds just to keep her mind off any sexual thoughts involving the delici—the man beside her, they reached a waterfall. It wasn’t anything major, probably a fall of twelve or fifteen feet, but its location, deep in the heart of the woods, surrounded by rocks, tall, centuries-old trees, and a natural pool that would look very inviting if it weren’t March, made it the perfect romantic spot. She bet couples loved spending time alone in this secluded place.

/>   “Do you like it?” His tone was uncertain, as if he were scared she would say something awful about a place that probably had some special meaning for him. Was that what he thought of her? That she was some kind of evil witch who had a nasty word for everything just because she didn’t like small towns?

  She might not be made for life outside a city, but she could appreciate natural beauty when she saw it.

  “It’s beautiful,” she said, nodding as she stared at the water falling off the low cliff and plunging into the pool below with a relaxing gurgling sound. She’d told him she was used to the noise of the city, but she wouldn’t mind spending a few hours here, enjoying the peace, the sound of the water, the odd bird chirping in the trees. It had been a while since she’d been this relaxed.

  “My mission wouldn’t have been complete if I hadn’t shown you this spot. It’s one of my favorites.”

  She made the mistake of looking at him, and she forgot why she wasn’t supposed to feel attracted to him. His eyes were fixed on the waterfall in front of them, his jaw relaxed, and the corners of his lips slightly turned up in a contented smile. He was the picture of peace, of happiness, of pure relaxation. He was gorgeous, and she wanted to kiss him. She wanted so badly to know if her dream had done him justice or if he would kiss even better in real life. She couldn’t do it, though. She would be leaving soon, and he was Ellie’s brother-in-law, which would make things awkward for her friend once Charli left. She needed some kind of diversion, something that would bring things into the right perspective and stop her from having any kind of romantic or sexual thoughts about him. She needed banter.

  “Is this where you bring all the girls you want to impress? Because, sorry to rain on your parade, but it won’t work with me, Bob.”

  He laughed out loud, the sound echoing in the woods and all around them. Her belly quivered and she wished she could slap herself and shake some sense into her silly brain again.

  “Well, I promise I wasn’t trying to hit on you. But I’m flattered you thought I was.” He got off Black Thunder and walked around so that he was by her side. He looked up at her, those dark, soul-melting eyes alight with amusement. “Just so you know, I’ve never brought a girl here before. You’re the first, but like I said, I wasn’t trying to impress you. And if I really wanted to woo you, I doubt a simple waterfall would do the trick.”

  “Excuse me?”

  He’d officially managed to piss her off, which was good because any romantic feelings had just evaporated and the pervy ghost had finally decided to find someone else to haunt. She got off Raindrop and stood in front of him, feeling tinier than usual without her heels, but still standing her ground. “What exactly were you implying?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at him as if he were the enemy. In a way, he was—the enemy of her peace and her mental sanity.

  He shrugged as he smiled, not at all intimidated. “Just that you look more like the kind of woman one would need to wine and dine in order to woo her. Possibly in an expensive restaurant, too.”

  “You have no right to judge me, considering you barely know me.” And if that was the impression she gave, she should work harder to change it. She didn’t want to be a younger version of her grandmother.

  He cocked his head to the side and smiled wider. “Wanna remedy that? I know a nice place—”

  “Forget it. I don’t know what ideas have gotten into that thick head of yours, but I’m not going out with you. Sorry if you thought this ride meant I’d fallen under your spell or something.”

  He laughed. “My spell? Who do you think I am, the Wizard of Oz?”

  “You know something? I really can’t stand you, and I don’t know why I agreed to join you on this ride. Let’s just go back, before they really do end up finding a corpse in the woods.” She placed her foot in the stirrup and hoisted herself up onto Raindrop. “And it won’t be mine.”

  She turned Raindrop around and he laughed as he got back on Black Thunder, catching up with her a moment later.

  This was the last time she was ever going to spend time alone with him, if she didn’t want to end up in jail for attempted murder.

  Chapter 12

  The beams of light coming from Charli’s VW Beetle illuminated the quiet, dark streets in the woods surrounding Ellie and Adam’s neighborhood two days later. The silence and isolation still creeped her out, but right now it was what she needed to let her thoughts flow freely.

  She’d spent the evening with Ellie and her new family, and even though she’d started feeling like a third wheel these days, she hadn’t been able to decline the invite when her friend told her they were going to Mamma Maria. The town physician had confirmed Ellie’s pregnancy yesterday, so the newlyweds had gone out to celebrate the happy news, even though they were determined to keep it a secret for at least another month or two.

  But ninety minutes with the happy trio had undone the positive, feel-good effects of the scrumptious food. Spending the night with Ellie and her new family had been nice, but it had also made her feel useless. Ellie had her husband now, as well as an adorable stepdaughter. Soon she’d have another baby and she’d be too busy playing happy family to have time to spare for girls’ nights or anything that didn’t revolve around kids and husbands. This town might be cute for a short visit or summer vacation, but it definitely wasn’t a place Charli could see herself putting down roots.

  She needed plans. She wasn’t used to having so much free time on her hands, and it was driving her crazy. It had been fun at first; the organization of Ellie’s wedding and helping out with the festival had kept her busy for a while, but it was time she focused on her life and her career.

  As she cruised aimlessly around the quiet streets, plotting her next move, she found herself passing by the Cavanaghs’ street. The lights were off in the main house, but she decided to stop anyway. She didn’t want to go back to Ellie’s cottage yet. She needed some time to shake off that feeling constricting her chest. She couldn’t quite name it, but it crushed her stomach like a heavy rock. It wasn’t envy—because, at the end of the day, Charli didn’t want a family. Kids gave her hives, and she didn’t need a husband’s financial support. She was fine. But the way Ellie’s life had changed so quickly, the smiles that were so genuine and bright, as if she’d forgotten all those awful things that had happened to her in the last few years, made Charli long for something. What, she wasn’t sure. Success? Love? Happiness? What was it that she really, truly wanted?

  As she walked up to the main house, she breathed in the crisp air that smelled of grass with a tinge of manure, courtesy of the two horses in the stables. She stopped to take a good look at the building. The main house sat on a low hill bordering the woods just outside the town center. It was a two-story, country-style ranch with a wraparound porch. A wooden building stood about ten feet to the left and a smaller one was half-hidden behind the house. Even though it was clear the house had seen better days, it had great potential for a lovely and cozy B&B. She knew the first floor had four rooms, two of which were en suite, and the ground floor was big enough to give the owners their own private space, while still leaving enough space for a breakfast room and a lounge room for guests. If this were hers, she would turn it into a top-notch B&B. Its location on the top of the hill was ideal, since it was private enough to ensure relaxation, and it had a great view of the ocean. She would even add a hot tub in the garden from which guests would be able to see the waves, and maybe a small log cabin where a therapist could provide stone massages for couples on honeymoon or friends on a girls’ getaway. She could almost envision it as she stared at the dimly lit two-story in front of her, and a smile crept onto her lips.

  She walked up to the stables, then decided to go back to her car, lest someone mistook her for a burglar and called the cops. Right then, the wind blowing through her hair carried a melody, like someone strumming a guitar. She looked around, wondering whether the sound was coming from the main house. Perhaps the Cavanaghs
were watching a movie or listening to some relaxing music. But as the wind stopped, so did the strumming. She wobbled on her four-inch stilettos on the gravel and dirt path that led to Kean’s house, thinking the music must be coming from there. She didn’t know why she wanted to see him and she knew it probably was a bad idea, considering the crazy thoughts she’d had about him when they went riding last week, but she felt lonely and perhaps a bit of banter would cheer her up. Even though he infuriated her at times, she couldn’t stop thinking about him. He was hot. Annoying at times, but hot all the same. And right now, she didn’t care about a relationship or a future. She just wanted to enjoy a bit of time with a sexy guy. If he was playing the guitar, they could sing ‘Kumbaya’ around a campfire and she could forget all of her worries for a while. Pretend her life was peachy.

  She reached the log cottage and sure enough, Kean was lounging in a rocker on the small porch, his guitar across his lap as his fingers picked the strings. He had his eyes closed and his head thrown back, and when his voice started singing the first lyrics, she stopped in her tracks.

  She’d recognized ‘Nothing Else Matters’, one of the few slow songs by Metallica, as soon as he’d played the first chord. Growing up with three older brothers who enjoyed listening to rock music and heavy metal, she knew them all by heart. She’d never really been a boy band kind of girl, but rather a rock chick. Hearing his voice so deep and melodic literally froze her in place. His fingers plucked the strings effortlessly as they played the intricate chords, and his voice stirred something to life low in her belly. When she’d seen him playing the guitar on stage she’d thought he was handsome, but now… well, wow. Hearing him sing as if he didn’t have a care in the world, as if really nothing else mattered, drew her in, pulling her toward him almost unconsciously. She stood and listened until he plucked the last chord. Only then did she dare clap her hands.

  His head shot up. “Who’s there?”

  “Relax, Bob. It’s only me.”