Accidental Love on Meadow Cove Lane (Island County Series Book 10)

by Karice Bolton

  But only in that wedding-one-night-stand type of way.

  I smiled. “You’re cute. But that’s all you’ve got going for you. Your personality is really lacking.”

  “I had no idea you were so superficial.” He sat back in the chair as another couple, that I didn’t know, took a seat at our table. “Because I’m pretty sure you’d sleep with me even if it’s only on looks alone…” He shrugged with a twinkle in his eyes.

  The older couple was completely immersed in themselves, so I was relieved not to have to start small talk with another batch of strangers. This one next me to me was plenty to handle.

  “I’m curious why the groom’s daughter hugged you and looked like she didn’t want to let go.” His eyes connected with mine, and it was as if all the humor from seconds before vanished.

  “We’re close.”

  “I gathered that.” He cut into his slice of rib roast and dipped the piece into horseradish.

  “It’s too much and it’s too personal to go into with a complete stranger.”

  “I don’t think we’re complete strangers any longer. After all, we’re sharing a meal. And I just might be your obligatory one-night stand.”

  “What on earth would give you that idea?” I rolled my eyes. “I don’t even know your name.”

  “Because you didn’t ask.”

  “For good reason.”

  “And what’s that?”

  I shook my head and took a bite of garlic-mashed potatoes.

  “Doesn’t matter. There are plenty of beautiful women wandering around the reception if that’s what you’re looking for tonight.”

  His smile only grew.

  “Why are you so determined to get to know me?” I asked.

  “Because I annoy you, and I typically don’t annoy women. You make me curious.” His lip twitched as he tried to hold it together.

  “I find that hard to believe.”

  “Which part?” His smirk only grew and so did the butterflies thrashing around in my belly. I didn’t usually fall for the cocky jokester guys, but this one was pretty cute, and the night was young.

  And it had been a long time since…

  No, I was above all that. I only slept with men I loved. Not that it had ever worked out yet, but he was cute.

  Okay, he was beyond cute. This man was drop-dead gorgeous, and I’d had plenty of punch to keep me happy.

  “That you don’t annoy other women.” I flashed a wicked smile.

  He laughed. “It’s true.” He laughed even harder. “But remember, you sat next to me.”

  I let out a defeated sigh. The man was right, but I had something far more important to attend to.

  I saw Sammi sitting at a table by herself as her dad and Cynthia held hands gliding through the crowd greeting all the guests. Sammi’s usually bright eyes looked glazed and almost like she was having second thoughts.

  “Excuse me,” I told the man as I stood up and tossed my napkin next to my plate. “I need to tend to something.”

  “Whatever you say. It’s your world, I just live in it.”

  I giggled and shook my head as I left the table. I could feel him watching me walk away, and I had to confess that I liked the sensation that washed over me. Getting that kind of attention was kind of nice from time to time.

  Usually, I was buried deep between shelves of brilliantly colored panels of glass with paper patterns spread across all the empty surfaces back at my studio. Actually, I didn’t like to refer to it as my studio. That sounded kind of uppity. The place I spent my days—and many nights—I referred to lovingly as my barn, which was a gross overstatement because it was about the size of a roomy shed with heat. It just happened to be painted red with white trim because that was all I could afford.

  “Hey, Sammi,” I called out.

  Sammi’s eyes fastened on mine and a small smile surfaced.

  “Hey.” She let out a heavy sigh.

  “You okay? Something happen between the ceremony and reception?” I took a seat next to her, and she turned to face me.

  “I’m cool. I just…” She shrugged.

  “You can tell me.” I reached for her hand. “Your secrets are safe with me no matter what kind of torture your father practices on me.”

  She chuckled. “It’s weird seeing them together all of a sudden. Not because they don’t belong together. They do, but I don’t really feel like I belong with them.”

  I gasped in horror and shook my head. “Sammi, you fit perfectly in their lives. Your dad would never have married Cynthia if he thought for a second that—”

  “No, I know.” Sammi crinkled her nose. “It’s not coming out right. I’m happy for them, and I know things will be great. I guess… I just suddenly feel like an outsider.”

  I sat back in the chair and scanned the room. Seeing Cynthia and Charles holding hands tightly and bouncing from one guest to the next was sweet, but I could see how Sammi could feel left behind.

  A new life was beginning for those two, and Sammi was left in a chair staring at rare meat or at least that was how Sammi saw it.

  “I’ll let you in on a little secret.” I smiled.

  “You’re madly in love with my dad?” she whispered, teasing.

  “Now that would liven up this event now, wouldn’t it?” I chuckled.

  “It would.” Her eyes sparkled with her normal mischief.

  “Well, my actual secret is that all weddings are awful for everyone except for the two people swirling and twirling around the guests. We all feel like outsiders.”

  “No, way.” Sammi swatted at me. “You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”

  “It’s true. Trust me. I’ve been to plenty of these things. We’re all happy for the people in love, and we get a free meal and sometimes free drinks, but really all the attention is centered on the couple of the hour. It doesn’t matter if you’re the mom of the bride or the flower girl, the only two people who feel truly included and in the know are the bride and groom. Think about it. Look around the room and see how many strangers are forced together at one time.”

  She giggled, and I scanned the room.

  “Check out that table over there.”

  Sammi followed my gaze.

  “Do you think those couples really want to sit there and make small talk?”

  I counted ten people sitting around the table—none skilled in the art of chitchat—as they nervously stared at their partners or plates of food. I could feel the awkwardness from here, and it was almost as if they let their gaze land on a stranger at the table they’d internally combust.

  “Probably not,” Sammi agreed, smiling. “I suppose you’re right.”

  Sammi’s dad’s gaze connected with mine, and I gave him wide eyes across the room to pay attention to his daughter. He grinned in embarrassment and squeezed Cynthia before he started across the reception area.

  It wasn’t Charles’ fault, but Sammi was only fourteen, and sometimes life didn’t always seem fair at that age.

  Shoot. Life didn’t always seem fair at my age either.

  “So you seem to be hitting it off with Cynthia’s brother.” Sammi spoke up out of nowhere.

  “Who’s Cynthia’s brother?” I shook my head and stared in confusion.

  “The guy you’ve been hanging out with all night.” Sammi smiled as my cheeks reddened.

  “What do you mean brother?” I stood up as Charles made his way over.

  “Well, I mean brother.” She chuckled. “You didn’t know that?”

  I folded my arms and glanced over my shoulder to see the mystery man staring at us.

  “He told me he was Cynthia’s long-time ex-fiancé.” I informed them. “Merely one in a long string of fiancés.”

  Charles laughed with his daughter. “Sounds about right, but nope. That’s Shane Parker, Cynthia’s long time brother. Not fiancé.”

  “Boy, you married into a very strange family,” I teased, feeling my entire body warm from being fooled.

 
; “Cynthia is the normal one,” Sammi informed me. “The others I can’t explain.” Sammi chuckled. “But he is kind of cute. Is it weird I think my uncle is cute?”

  “Yes,” Charles said loudly. “Very weird.”

  “Not that weird. He’s not blood.” I wiggled my brows and Charles smacked my back and shook his head. “Don’t listen to Dakota.” Charles glanced at me. “So, you think he’s cute?”

  I laughed, and glanced at the Cynthia’s brother, who was still looking in my direction.

  Charles squeezed his daughter’s shoulder and leaned down to whisper, “Why don’t you come over with Cynthia and me while we are bombarded with guests. I’m getting tired of smiling so much and maybe you could take over.”

  Sammi lit up and she pushed her plate of food away. “Can you save this for me?” Her eyes connected with mine.

  “Absolutely.” I reached down and grabbed her plate and watched Sammi and her dad trundle off in Cynthia’s direction. I waited a few seconds before turning to look at the mystery man.

  I narrowed my eyes and pressed my lips into a thin line as I glared at him while making my way back to his table.

  I set Sammi’s plate of food next to mine. “Do you mind telling me why you lied to me?”

  I slid into my seat and watched him take a sip of his drink.

  “I didn’t exactly lie.”

  “No, I’d say you lied very directly about who you were.”

  “It was for a good cause.” His tongue slowly slid along his bottom lip, and I stiffened in my seat. I shouldn’t be noticing these things.

  “And what cause was that?” My brow quirked slightly in near-disgust.

  Actually, I couldn’t actually be disgusted with this perfect specimen sitting in front of me.

  “Making sure there were no shenanigans between my sister’s husband and his female best friend.”

  I let out a huff. “You could have just asked.”

  “Like you’d tell me. What would you say when I asked?” He laughed. “Let me guess. You’d be like, Oh, why yes. I banged the groom after the rehearsal dinner.”

  “That is so crass.”

  “Crass?” He seemed absolutely tickled by this revelation.

  “Yeah. I have far more self-respect than that. I would never sleep with someone else’s partner. Ever.” I let out a disgruntled sigh. “And bang? Please. Who even uses that term over thirty?”

  He raised his hand up and laughed.

  “Obviously, Shane Parker,” I muttered under my breath as I attempted to extinguish the feelings overcoming my logical side.

  “So you know my name?” He folded his napkin and slid it under his plate.

  “Yes.”

  “So we are no longer strangers.”

  “I suppose not, but we are pretty close to being relatives.”

  “How do you figure?” He cocked his head.

  “Charles and Sammi are my family, which makes Cynthia family as well and you being her brother…” I dropped my shoulders. “Well, it would just be creepy.”

  “I know you don’t believe that for a second.”

  “Huh?” I shook my head. “What don’t I believe?”

  “That having sex with me would be creepy.”

  “You are so arrogant. I never in a million years thought about spending the night with you, family or not.”

  “We’re not family.” Shane flashed an easy smile and I felt completely at ease around him even with the topic at hand.

  Because the truth of it was that I had once or twice had a wedding fling. It wasn’t anything I was proud of, but it happened in the beginning of this whole attending an ex’s wedding thing, and it generally involved too much liquor. Now, I knew better. I might toy with it for fun, but there was no way I’d be sleeping with anyone tonight.

  Especially not Cynthia’s brother.

  “So, why have I never heard of you?” I asked Shane.

  He let out a deep breath. “It’s complicated.”

  “It shouldn’t be. You’re her brother.” I tilted my head as I noticed a flicker of disappointment dash through his gaze. “I know I talk about my brother all the time, and Cynthia’s never once mentioned a Shane.”

  He circled his finger around the saltshaker in front of him, and he brought his gaze to mine.

  “I let her down.” He let out a deep breath. “I wasn’t the greatest brother.”

  “I see.”

  “But I’m hoping she sees that I’ve changed.”

  “So sleeping with her new husband’s best friend might just be the ticket?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood. The pain and regret was impossible to ignore as his gaze stayed on mine, and I suddenly felt bad for Shane the Stranger.

  “Well, it couldn’t hurt.” He winked, and I felt all the butterflies return colliding with each other as I promised myself I would not be sleeping with this gift from above.

  Besides, I had an early appointment in the morning.

  Chapter Three

  I took another sip of an apple martini and smiled at Shane. “So, you’re telling me that you live on a ranch in Montana?”

  He ran his fingers along his jaw and laughed. “Yeah, that’s pretty much what I just said.”

  “And that’s your job?” I smiled. “You’re a ranchman?”

  “I own a fully functioning ranch. Yes.” He nodded. “And I have several amazing ranch hands.”

  “Ah-ha.” I giggled, feeling the alcohol swirling through my system. “So, you don’t get down and dirty yourself.”

  “Oh, I get down and dirty. Just not how you’re thinking.”

  I laughed harder and swallowed the urge to kiss Shane Parker. I’d only met him three hours ago, and I wasn’t about to embarrass myself with a fling that only legends were made of. I didn’t need to be teased by Charles for sleeping with his wife’s brother because, inevitably, the news would spread.

  And I needed to be a good role model for Sammi.

  “You’re so full of yourself.” I smiled and finished my drink.

  “If I don’t believe in myself, no one else will.”

  “I suppose.” I nodded. “So, have you always been into the ranch life?”

  He leaned against the wall and let out a slow breath. “No, but it’s where I find a bit of peace. I like the solitude and—”

  “Sounds like you’re running from something.”

  “Pardon me?” He straightened up, his gaze locking on mine.

  “I don’t know you, but it seems like you’ve got a lot going on in that head of yours, and you’re trying to run away from it all.”

  “And you know this after a few hours?” His mouth turned down slightly at the corners.

  “Just a hunch, I guess. You said yourself you don’t have a great relationship with your sister. I’m assuming you might not have a great relationship with your parents then, either. Granted, I could be wrong, but whatever it is to put you in this position probably also made you flee to Montana.”

  “You think I fled to Montana?” His gaze hardened slightly.

  “Well, did you?” My body swayed slightly as I tried to stay steady from the alcohol. I’d been enjoying the fruity martinis too much, and I didn’t even like that kind of drink. I was usually a beer kind of gal.

  His cynical expression softened. “Yeah. I guess I probably did.”

  “I used to think I wanted to live in the city,” I told him. “In fact, my best friend and I always dreamed of going away together and starting our lives far away from a small town. But it turns out I like these small towns.”

  “I wouldn’t call Seattle a small town.”

  “Well, not Seattle. But I grew up in a small town.”

  “You grew up in Washington?” he asked, and I nodded. “Not Colorado? I thought you dated Charles in Colorado.”

  “Oh, so you do know about me.” I flashed a wicked grin. “I followed him to Colorado, which was where he met Sammi’s mom.”

  “Ouch.”

  “It wasn’t meant to be.
We never had that kind of connection. What I saw between those two was special.” My eyes stayed on Shane’s. “It’s like what I see with him and Cynthia. There’s just that spark.”

  Shane’s eyes fell to my mouth, and a jolt of electricity ran through me. I never wanted to be kissed so badly and couldn’t.

  Wouldn’t.

  Shouldn’t.

  I cleared my throat. “Yeah, anyway. I was certain I’d wind up in Manhattan like my brother, or in Chicago wandering around aimlessly.” I shuddered at the thought of not being in Fireweed. “And I’m so glad I didn’t. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere but where I am. I’ve visited my brother a few times in New York, and it’s just not for me.”

  “Fireweed?” Shane cocked his head, drilling on that one piece of information. “You live on Fireweed?”

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “No reason.” His smile only grew.

  “What?”

  “Just, well…” Shane shook his head. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

  “Well, now you have to tell me.”

  “I’d planned on going there this weekend.”

  “What a coincidence.” I smirked, not buying his story for a second.

  “I’m serious.”

  “I’m sure you are.” I put my empty glass down on a table and folded my arms.

  “No. I really am going there tomorrow.” He tried again.

  “Whatever you say, buddy.” I patted his arm and suddenly wished I hadn’t touched him because the electricity I felt in my fingertips alone made my head spin. “But my phone number is unlisted. You won’t find me.”

  Which was a complete lie since my business was plastered all over the internet and the Chamber of Commerce website for Fireweed Island. There wasn’t that much going on in Fireweed so the Chamber highlighted anything and everything they could when it came to tourist stops and every Monday, I offered a studio tour.

  “Who said I’d be looking?” he teased, and my cheeks flamed red.

  How did I constantly fall into his hands?

  But before I could let the embarrassment rush through me, he circled his arm around my waist and brought me in closer.

  I quickly glanced around the reception hall. The lights had dimmed once the band started playing over an hour ago. Charles, Cynthia, and Sammi had been on the dance floor the better part of the night, so the odds were in my favor. No one would see me trying my hardest to avoid making out with this near stranger.