Thanks, T. Our hot new neighbor doesn’t want my sad backstory. “That wasn’t his name.”
“Okay, she didn’t like Derrick. Derrick, Derrick, the great big—”
“Language, please.” Plastering on her best “I’m fine” smile, Gabriella turned to Kyle. “But it’s all good. Ancient history.”
“Glad to hear.” He continued to pet the cat as she shed all over his dark blue hoodie.
“I’m gonna go find my room in this ice box. Go back to sleep.” Trinity exited with the swiped mug.
“Sounds good, T.”
“Check ya later, Cat Man.”
He held up the peace sign. “Later, T.”
Cookie jumped down and followed the teen out, leaving Kyle and Gabriella in silence.
He handed her the key before leaning toward the hallway. “I’ll get going. Sounds like you two need some rest.”
Disappointment settled in her gut at his impending exit. “Thank you so much for the interesting welcome. I’m sure I’ll be talking to you soon.”
“Glad you’re talking to me after that.”
“Crazy morning.”
He tucked his hands in the front of his hoodie and walked with her to the front door. “You don’t need help unloading?”
“Honestly, the last thing I want to do is work. We’ve been driving for days. I’m exhausted. I’ll go out and get my herbs and plants and we’ll take care of the rest of it later.”
“If you’re interested, there’s the Main Street Diner that serves a good pot roast and a better cup of coffee than I can make. Maybe I could take you two to dinner this evening?” He cleared his throat as if he were searching for the right words. “I can drive you around a bit. Show you where things are. Grocery store. Gas station. High school.”
Her heart fluttered. Marietta is already turning out to be a great move.
“I know where the restaurant is. Saw it when I drove in.”
“Oh.” His forehead furrowed.
Nice move, dimwit. “But I think a tour would be lovely. Thank you.”
“Great. Seven?”
“Seven.” She moved an imaginary object on the floor with her foot. “Guess I should tell you, I’m the new owner. Of the diner.”
“Gabriella.” His eyes went wide as if he’d remembered something. “Gabriella. Marcos. That’s you.”
“That’s me.”
“Flo told me Paige sold it.”
News travels fast. “Flo is?”
“One of the waitresses there. She’s been there for years.” He gave her a smile that should have been illegal this early in the morning. “You from here?”
“No.” She liked the way his lips moved when he looked at her.
“You have family here?”
Family. The word twisted her guts. “No.”
“How did you end up buying the diner?”
“Funny story. Paige’s husband’s company had a retreat at the resort where I worked. I was in charge of the food. Paige liked what I made and jokingly asked if I wanted to run the diner.” She cleared her throat, hoping her words came out more positive than she felt about what actually transpired. “I told her yes and here I am.”
He studied her for a moment before answering. “Yes, you are. I go there a few times a week.”
“Then I look forward to seeing you there. And next door.”
“And this evening.” He playfully shrugged.
Her cheeks hurt from grinning so broadly. Again, she twisted a lock of hair between her fingers like some teenage girl trying to be coy. Get hold of yourself!
His intense green eyes sent tingles all over, making her shiver in the most delicious way. It was that or the crisp chill in the air that swept in when he opened the door. “I appreciate your help this morning. Even though it was…weird.”
“If you need anything, you know where to find me.” He pointed toward his house.
“Got your address.”
Like an awkward teen, he leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “See you soon.”
Yes. You absolutely will.
Chapter Four
What was I thinking?
Kyle couldn’t believe he’d acted like some love-sick teen talking to his first crush, but he’d been floored with how impressively Gabriella handled herself during their first introduction.
His phone buzzed and danced across his bathroom counter.
Most women would have been too ashamed to even make eye contact after such a disastrous initial meeting. Gabriella handled it like a champ, with a solid literary comeback no less.
She’d even understood his subtle joke with the boy wizard themed mug and laughed off her embarrassment.
Kyle grit his teeth at his response to her reading reference.
Glad I like deep water.
He wiped the steam off the mirror and stared at himself.
You sounded like a dumbass.
The phone buzzed again. He refused to look at it until he got dressed, mainly because he knew who kept texting him.
As he began shaving, Gabriella’s words about reading replayed in his head.
“You would be surprised how underestimated being literate is in the dating pool.” Her playful banter made him smile and also wonder what kind of guys she’d been involved with.
Peter the Cheater? Her daughter’s comment made him wonder if that’s why she was in Marietta. To get away? Start over? Because unless you were born here or you had family here, most people weren’t moving to Marietta for its stimulating nightlife and social scene.
Even the locals had their stories of leaving and coming back.
Being an outsider, he’d kept his history quiet.
Thankfully, the guys at the station didn’t push him much about why he ended up here, not that he’d tell them any more than he already had.
But Gabriella and Trinity are outsiders too. Nice to have some company.
The more he thought about it, the more he really wanted to get to know Gabriella’s reason for being here; because he hoped she wouldn’t have to leave anytime soon.
Once he’d dried off and finished shaving, he checked his phone after the multiple texts. Six text messages from his mother.
Not now. He tossed his phone on the bed.
Grabbing the first three shirts out of his closet, then deciding he didn’t like any of them, he put them back and tried a fourth. With shaking hands, he attempted to button his clothes, but his nerves had him out of sorts.
He opened and closed his fists and tried again.
It’s dinner. Not marriage. Just dinner.
But something about her yanked him to attention faster than any chief petty officer ever had. Could it be her long dark hair and cocoa skin or the fact she had smooth curves like a gently winding road? And what about the fire in her eyes when she stood up to him or her quick, smart comebacks?
He hadn’t been this worked up about a woman in years. And it was nice to know she noticed him because of him and not his parents.
It might only be dinner, but I’d sure like to make her breakfast.
The clock read ten to seven before he’d finally layered up enough to tolerate the brisk spring evening.
He laughed as he zipped up his heavy coat. Every time he wore it, fellow first responders Dan, Gavin, and Jonah—the Clark brothers—would joke with him about the many layers he’d wear.
As long-time residents, those three could wear T-shirts and jeans when it froze outside and they’d be more than comfortable.
Only being here a year, Kyle had yet to acclimate enough to go without a heavy coat for most of the winter and spring.
The hard winds and smell in the air signaled another round of snow would blanket them by the weekend.
I wonder if those Texas ladies are ready for that.
He laughed at her trying to keep warm with that paper-thin sweater. She’s gonna need a heavy coat—and quick.
On the counter next to the coffee pot sat a bag of groceries he’d purchased after he checked
in at the firehouse this afternoon. Pulling out his Igloo bag, he loaded up a few staples to take next door.
Next, he finished the protein prep for tomorrow, which consisted of tossing a few chicken breasts into a large Ziploc bag along with his special blend of seasonings, lemon pepper and salt, and a bit of olive oil. Shaking the bag, he checked the chicken had a decent distribution of spices before burping the bag and placing it back in the refrigerator.
The phone rang as he grabbed his watch and wallet from the kitchen table. Without looking at the caller, he hit the speaker button.
“Kyle!”
Dammit. Should’ve looked before answering. “Mother. How’s your evening?”
“Why haven’t you answered my texts? I’ve sent you at least twenty.” The harshness of Lillian Winston-Cavasos’s voiced pierced the tranquility of his house. No doubt, her attempt to ruin his good mood.
“You sent six and, Mom, I’m about to head out the door. What do you need?”
A long pause, which only meant she was sucking in enough air to rant a good, long time. “What do I need? Hmm, let’s see. I need you to sign those contracts, pack your things, and tell me when your start date will be.”
All the documents his mother sent him were spread out on the kitchen table next to the pile of final proofs from the calendar photo shoot. At the top of each page, URGENT had been stamped right next to the Winston Enterprises Logo.
As if I’d forgotten the time frame I’m on.
Before he could answer, she added, “You promised me you’d head to Texas after you got this firefighter thing out of your system. Take over your grandfather’s first resort property as he willed you to do.”
“I don’t have to make this decision for another six months, Mom. I’m fine where I am.”
“As a fireman in nowhere town?” Her response dripped in sarcasm.
“I’m a paramedic and a fireman and I like it here.”
“Well, I’m a producer and director and I like it here in LA. Doesn’t mean I can throw my family’s company down the toilet.” She sucked in a loud breath. “There are a lot of people counting on their jobs and I’ll be damned if I’ll let anyone else run these places.”
Probably smoking those overpriced cigarettes that are never farther than two feet from her. “I’m not telling you to sell, just send someone else.”
“I don’t understand you sometimes. You asked me to make sure the Jewel of the Hill Country Resort and Spa was in good hands until you had a year of downtime after serving…whatever you did in the military.”
“I was in the Navy.”
“I thought you said you were with the Marines.”
“No, my title was Marine Corps Recon Foreman. The Marines don’t have a medical branch. Navy covers that for them. It’s confusing.”
“Whatever. You said you wanted to run the property in San Antonio.”
“I know.” That was before I realized the value of being invisible.
“I gave you the year like you asked. Now, it’s time to step up.”
When he arrived here last summer, all he’d planned to do was work and get away from the Hollywood crazy, but he’d grown to like it. Love it here. The last place he wanted to move was, well, anywhere else. “Mom, listen—”
“No, Kyle. This has been on the books for years. Vivian got the resort in Vail. Meredith will get the one in San Diego when she’s twenty-five. Coleman, if he ever gets his head out of his ass, will get the one in Vancouver, but I’m not holding my breath on that one.”
“What about Natasha?” Mentioning the youngest of their siblings made him smile. The kid was pure sunshine and constant energy.
“Your grandfather didn’t assign a property for her since he made the will when all of you were little. She came along after and he never got around to it. But she’s graduating in May. I’m sure we can find a place for her.” Another long drag.
“Send her to Texas, Mom.”
“Oh, sweetie, that’s a lot for her to do straight out of college. She’d need a lot of guidance. You’re ready to walk right in. Besides, you’d get far more hotel traffic than she will.”
“You mean morbid curiosity.” Nausea slammed him in the gut. The last thing he wanted or needed was to be gawked at by people who simply wanted to see the result of a huge Hollywood scandal. “I’m good where I am right now.”
“Why? No one knows who you are.” Her words were laced with annoyance.
“They know I’m a fireman and a paramedic.”
“As if that’s who you really are.”
“I like the anonymity.” Although I don’t know how much longer that’s going to last.
He tapped his finger on the envelope that held his proofs for the Men of Marietta calendar. Even he had to admit, the photos Charlie had taken were impressive and the calendar would cause all sorts of buzz. I hope the right kind of buzz, because Harry deserves a place worthy of his name.
Despite her promise to keep him out of any social media blasts and the Vanity Fair interview, he didn’t trust his secret would stay that way for long. Especially with his mom breathing down his neck to fulfill his family obligations.
“You act like you’re ashamed of us. You know, we’re not just anyone in Hollywood. Our family’s been in the business since there was one here. Patrick was a third-generation set designer and I’ve produced a lot of movies.” She sighed. “Not to mention the hotels your great-grandfather started.”
“I get it. We’ve got money. Influence.” Kyle imagined his mother’s nose stuck so high in the air right now, if it rained, she’d drown. “I’m not ashamed. I want something different. Something outside the bubble.”
“The bubble is a damned nice place and has given a lot of good people solid work and very nice benefits. I want to continue that.”
“I agree.” His teeth ground together. He didn’t need her guilt right now. Not when he had a nice evening already planned out with his gorgeous new neighbor. “If I want to spend it fighting fires and hauling people out of danger in Montana, that’s my choice.”
“I’m tired of having this kind of conversation with you. You’ve already played soldier, now firefighter. By your thirty-fifth birthday, you promised to fulfill this request of the will. If you don’t, you forfeit your inheritance.”
The thought of running the Jewel of the Hill Country no longer spread excitement through his veins like it did when his grandfather asked him a decade ago, but he wasn’t stupid. That kind of inheritance would open a lot of doors for him and any family he might have.
That kind of money and influence had the potential to help the people who needed a place like Harry’s House.
Annoyance simmered in his gut at wanting a life here and to fulfill his obligation there.
“Mom, my birthday isn’t until October. We’ve got some time to figure this out.”
“You’re stalling.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Why? A life in a town of maybe twelve thousand can’t be that exciting.”
“It’s exciting enough for me.” And away from the paparazzi’s constant coverage.
Glancing out his kitchen window at his new neighbor’s house, he smirked. I hope it’s about to get more exciting.
“I can give you another few days, but I can’t stall any longer.”
He rubbed the back of his neck as he watched the seconds tick away. Five minutes. “Why?”
“Because I know something’s off down there…Junior.”
Kyle’s blood pressure shot into the stratosphere at her successful attempt to goad him. “Don’t call me that. You know damned well that’s not my name.”
“Legally—”
“Good bye, Mother—”
“Wait! Wait! I’m sorry.” Another long drag, before she responded with about as much compassion as a crocodile. “Look, Kyle. I need you there. I’m pretty sure that general manager, Riley Fitz-what’s-his-name is tanking my favorite resort.”
“It’s Fitzgerald.” And I don’t
like him either. The times Kyle had cold-called the resort for different questions and concerns, the manager had been this side of shitty. “Why do you think things are off?”
“A friend of a friend called because her brother’s daughter got married there. The bride kept getting doused with a wayward sprinkler near the reception. Riley refused to take care of it or even compensate for anything.”
Kyle cringed. “What a piss-poor thing for him to do. He should know how batshit crazy people get about weddings. That, at the least, was crap for customer service much less the bride getting wet at her own reception. What happened?” Not that he really wanted to know, but simply asking instead of attempting to talk his way out of this conversation would get it done quicker.
“They called in some local who fixed it right up, but the damage had been done. Now this bride is posting it all over social media about how terrible the resort is.”
“He’s Preston’s friend. Did you expect anything less?”
A long pause. “I know you’re mad at me for bringing Preston into the fold and then employing his friend Riley, but I’m trying to extend a hand to your father’s side—”
“That man is not my father.” Four minutes.
“Look, whether you like it or not, Jason Crowe is your father and that makes Preston Crowe your brother.”
“Only genetically.” He knew her forehead would be completely scrunched up out of frustration if she hadn’t let her dermatologist inject a gallon of Botox in it.
“Kyle, I’m sorry. I know you don’t want the press to know anything about you after what I and your fath…Jason dragged you through, but you have to take care of this. It’s your obligation. Your grandfather would be heartbroken if this property failed.”
She always knew how to pull on his heartstrings when it came to family, but the calm of Marietta had sunk into his soul. Brought him a peace he’d desperately needed. Shoving the guilt away, he replied, “Mom, I have to go do something tonight, but let me talk to you in a few days about it.”
“How many is a few?”
“A few.” He checked for his keys again and started turning off lights. His boot caught on the edge of one of the donation boxes. Some of the coats scattered across the floor. “I left that world for a reason. Don’t drag me back into it.”
Burning with Desire Page 3
