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

by Karice Bolton

  “Thanks, Dakota. Have a nice evening.”

  “You too.” I let my body fall against the cushions as all the tension ran out of my body.

  I really hoped that there was a logical explanation for Sammi to go to a woman’s clinic besides birth control. The thought of her having sex at such a young age was terrifying. But if that were the case then we should be relieved she knew enough to take precautions.

  Who was I kidding? The thought was so petrifying that all I wanted to do was hunt down her boyfriend and smack some sense into both of them. They were kids trying to make adult decisions and that rarely worked out.

  Shoot. It rarely worked when adults tried to be adults.

  I shook my head. “Ugh.” I groaned into my empty house. “This raising kids thing is exhausting.”

  Sammi was only fourteen, and I refused to believe that anything crazy was going on between Sammi and her boyfriend. I was tempted to call her, but that would be fishy. A teenager would sniff out that equation quickly, and she’d realize her dad found something that tipped him off, which then would lead to her wondering why he was snooping and then, worse yet, telling the world?

  I let out another exhausted sigh. “Definitely have to wait until this weekend.”

  My phone buzzed again, and I was almost afraid to pick it up to read the text.

  Good news. I now own two properties on Fireweed Island. You’ll never get rid of this ugly mug.

  Reading the text made me absolutely giddy.

  And completely terrified.

  And I had to admit I was relieved to have the distraction and quickly texted back.

  Good news for who?

  Another text landed on my phone quickly.

  That’s cold. Real cold. And here I was about to invite you to the ranch for the weekend.

  My chest tightened with delighted surprise, and I grabbed one of my grey chenille pillows to hug. While my barn might be a little festive and wacky, the décor in my home is more calming, and I needed calm right about now.

  It was hard to be upset with Sammi when I was having the same exact reaction to Shane. All reasoning and sense went right out the window when he came on my radar, and my body churned up a wave of hormones that would rival any teenager.

  I stared at the invite on my phone, unsure what to say back. Was it a real invite or was he only being kind?

  I let out a deep breath and began typing. Only one way to find out.

  I’m actually busy all weekend. Sammi will be here.

  It didn’t take him seconds to reply.

  So my brother-in-law decided to let Sammi go to your house? That’s probably better than hanging out with a boyfriend at that age.

  I giggled and typed back.

  Probably at any age.

  He messaged back.

  What about the following weekend?

  Panic spiked through my veins. He really was serious about me coming to his ranch. I let out a couple of deep breaths.

  I could do this.

  It would all be fine.

  Everything would remain professional.

  I would be fine.

  I’d look at some horses, wander the property, have some dinner and go to sleep.

  In my own bed.

  I let out a slow and steady breath as I typed my message to him.

  I can’t leave my business, but I appreciate the invite.

  I shook my head in disbelief that my mind, body, and heart all worked against one another. My fingers had a mind of their own.

  I understand. But, I do believe you could spare an evening and a day at some point. I could send my plane, which would cut the time in half.

  I stared at the phone. His plane? Wow. Maybe I should have gone into the construction business.

  Another text came over from him.

  Well, another time then. But I am warning you that I do need to come back to Fireweed to oversee both properties.

  I cleared my throat and drew a shaky breath as my fingers typed my final message.

  I look forward to working on the church project with you.

  And that was it. My way of ending things with Shane Parker before they even began.

  Chapter Ten

  “Hey, Sammi.” I held out my arms, and Sammi dove into my embrace. It felt so good to have Sammi on Fireweed for the weekend.

  She’d dyed the tips of her hair pale lavender, and it actually looked nice.

  “Cool hair.”

  “You think?” She giggled, taking a step back, reaching for her hair. “Dad hates it.”

  I groaned. “I’m such a bad influence. I never know what I’m supposed to like and approve of or not. What does Cynthia say about the dye job?”

  “She loves it too.” Sammi adjusted her backpack and laughed.

  I winked at Sammi and wrapped my arms over her shoulders. “I hoped Cynthia would love it. We girls have to stick together.”

  We started walking toward the parking lot where I’d left my car in case the tricky spring weather decided to give us one of its downpours, but so far, we’d lucked out. The puddles glistening on the pavement were from the earlier sprinkle.

  “Polish sausage and cabbage okay for dinner?” I asked, giving her a sideways glance.

  “Cabbage?” She groaned. “I’ll be all gassy.”

  I laughed and squeezed her a little tighter as we made our way to the car. “Who do you have to impress around here? It’s just me.”

  “I guess, and you do make the best sausages.”

  “Why thank you.”

  Sammi opened the passenger door of my car and tossed her backpack in the backseat before sliding into the front seat.

  “So is Shane staying at your house?” Sammi asked as I climbed into the driver’s seat.

  Shock reverberated through my system. “No. Why would he be there? He’s not even on the island.”

  “Oh, I just thought since you two—”

  “Us two nothing, young lady. Don’t try to twist who has got a relationship and who doesn’t.”

  Sammi giggled, and I realized I was way too quick in responding. “I’m as single as they come. Which leads me to your boyfriend. What’s his name?”

  “Trey.”

  “And what does Trey look like?” I glanced at Sammi before I turned on the car and immediately related to the feelings washing over Sammi.

  Boy. I guess love doesn’t get any easier as we grow up. It was and always will be the completely distracting, somewhat delusional, and overly entrancing trick the heart plays on the mind. I literally saw euphoria flowing through Sammi.

  “He’s got gorgeous hazel eyes and dark hair, and he’s so tan.” She let out a happy sigh. “He’s a pitcher on the school baseball team.”

  “Your dad mentioned he was older. Does that mean he’s at your school or is he—”

  “Oh, no. He’s in tenth grade.”

  A cold chill ran over me. They weren’t even at the same school. Sure, Sammi would be there in the fall, but there’s a lot of room for a boy to get in trouble.

  “Does that worry you?”

  “Why would it?” Her brows scrunched together.

  I pulled up to the stop sign and shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe because you don’t know what he’s up to during the day? He’s probably pretty popular if he’s on the baseball team.”

  “Extremely popular,” she agreed, still not getting my point. “But he’s in class all day. What else would he be up to?”

  Oh, to be so innocent in love.

  I ignored her question and pressed on. “Well, what do you guys do for fun?”

  “I go to his games. We’ve hit the movies a couple times.” She shrugged and her cheeks reddened.

  “Must be some movie,” I said, turning onto the street leading to my home.

  “What?” She shot back, glancing out the window as her fingers dug into her palms.

  “Most movies don’t make a person blush.” I parked in front of my house and laughed as Sammi turned to face me.

>   “Shane Parker likes you.” She sat and grinned like the devious child she was turning into as my cheeks flamed red.

  “You should be ashamed.” I narrowed my eyes on my once angelic girl and turned off the car.

  “I’m calling it as I see it.” She laughed. “And judging by your cheeks, you like him too.”

  I took the keys out of the ignition and slid out of the car, dipping my head back inside. “If you want dinner, you better be nice.”

  “I’m always nice.” She grabbed her backpack off of the backseat and followed me through the gate to my home.

  I spun around and gave her a hug before going inside. “You are, and I don’t ever want you to change.”

  “I never will,” she promised.

  I opened the door and the smell of sausage and cabbage floated through the house.

  “It’s probably better that Shane isn’t here anyway. It smells pretty bad.” Sammi laughed, and I nodded my head in agreement.

  “But it will taste great,” I teased.

  “Oh, I’m sure of that.” She grinned and put her backpack on the floor by the couch before following me into the kitchen.

  “I want to hear all the details on how Trey asked you out.” I opened the Crockpot lid and poked at the cabbage and sausage. It was close to being done.

  She sat at the table with a blissful grin and drew her finger around her grey-and-white-checked place setting.

  “I was with my friends at our Christmas formal.”

  I turned around with the fork in my hand. “What was he doing at a junior high dance?”

  She shook her head. “He wasn’t there. We went to the dance and after we stood around for about forty minutes doing absolutely nothing, we went to the Burger Shack and he was there with his friends.”

  Sammi wouldn’t be able to wipe the grin off her face if her life depended upon it.

  “Did he come up to you?”

  She nodded. “He bought me a milk shake.”

  “Wow. Just like that?” I asked impressed.

  “What do you mean? Why wouldn’t it be just like that?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe he’d just flirt a little to test out the waters to make sure he wouldn’t be turned down.”

  “It’s just a milk shake.” She cocked her head. “I doubt he’d be devastated if he bought the wrong flavor.”

  I laughed. “You’re probably right.”

  “Anyway, his friends and my friends took off, and we stayed there eating fries and drinking shakes. We had to be chased out of the place when it closed.”

  “How’d you get home?” I asked.

  “He drove me.”

  “Wait. What? I thought he was only a grade ahead of you so like fifteen?”

  “Don’t forget my birthday is late in the year.”

  “And his is early.” My gut twisted into knots.

  “Does your dad know he’s sixteen?”

  She shook her head. “But I’ll be fifteen in less than a month so it will all average out again.”

  “If you say so.” I walked a fine line of not wanting her to close up on me. “I hate to ask this, but does he pressure you?”

  “Pressure me for what?” Her brows shot up.

  “You know what, Sammi Troner.”

  “He’s a virgin and plans on staying that way so he can get a scholarship.” She beamed.

  “Huh?”

  “He read a book that said to stay away from sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll, and he should make it to college on a full scholarship if he’s got the talent.” She crossed her arms. “And he’s got the talent.”

  I narrowed my eyes on Sammi. “Do you expect me to believe that?”

  “It’s the truth.”

  “What about you? Do you have any interest in that area?” I turned back around to face the cabinets and shut my eyes while drawing in a silent breath.

  “Not really. I like kissing him, but the rest of it scares me.” She coughed. “I took health class. Do you know what kinds of things you can catch doing it?”

  I laughed and turned around seeing my sweet, innocent Sammi and relief spread through me.

  “Not to mention I’ve heard the first time sucks.”

  I put a glass of water on the placemat in front of her and attempted to collect my thoughts.

  “Is that true?”

  “Is what true?”

  “That the first time sucks.”

  “For the girl, the odds are not in your favor if you put your fate in the hands of a teenage boy.”

  Sammi giggled.

  “So I’d wait until at least college, preferably when you’re on your honeymoon in the Bahamas, before you give it a go.”

  “My friend just did it and thought she was pregnant. I had to take her to a clinic. We went by bus.”

  It was like the heavens parted and angels started singing. The heaviness that I didn’t even know I’d been carrying around completely evaporated, and without a second’s thought, I gave Sammi a huge hug.

  “What was that for?” she asked.

  “For being such a good friend.” Our eyes connected and she smiled.

  “Well, I couldn’t leave her to be scared by herself.”

  “No, that’s true. I can’t even imagine how scary that would be for someone your age. I’m scared of the thought and I’m deep into my thirties.”

  The timer went off on the Crockpot, and I was never so happy to serve up sausage and cabbage.

  “I’m surprised you’re hanging out with me instead of Shane tonight,” Sammi said out of the blue.

  “I’d rather spend time with you any day of the week. Shane is merely a work associate.”

  She cackled like a witch.

  “It’s true. Why are you sounding like you’re possessed?” I put a bowl of sausage and cabbage in front of her.

  “Why did you turn down his invite to see his ranch?”

  “How’d you know about that?” I put my own bowl of food down and stared at her.

  “Shane and Cynthia talk all the time.”

  “I thought their relationship was kind of tenuous.”

  “They’re working on it, so they talk a lot.”

  “I see.”

  “So why did you turn him down? I’d love to go see his horses.”

  “You would?” I perked up at that thought.

  “Only a crazy person would turn down a vacation like that.”

  “You might be onto something.” I laughed.

  “Well, he won’t keep asking. Boys never do.”

  “Really? And how do you know that?” I took a bite of the sausage and despite the smell roaming through the house, it was delicious.

  “Because I used to play boy games like you do.”

  I threw my head back in laughter as the doorbell rang.

  “You expecting someone?” Her left brow arched as she sawed into her sausage.

  “Nope. It’s just you and me for the weekend.” I grinned, standing up to go look through the window.

  I made my way over to the door and noticed an SUV parked on the street in front of my car, and my heart skipped a beat.

  When I looked through the window, I saw Shane Parker standing on my doorstep with a bouquet of flowers and two hot cups of tea.

  “Did you know about this?” I hollered in Sammi’s direction.

  “Know about what?” she yelled back, but the giggles that followed told me she was in on it.

  I opened the door and Shane smiled widely. “I figured if you won’t come to the ranch, the ranch has to come to you.”

  I stuck my head out the door and looked around. “I don’t see any horses.”

  “Got me there, but hopefully these will do. I brought some tea for Sammi as well.”

  “Of course you did.” I eyed him suspiciously and took both cups from him.

  I set one down when he handed me a beautiful spring bouquet that was so large I wasn’t sure it would fit in any of my vases.

  “So are you going to make him stand out there or i
nvite him in like a decent human being?” Sammi was suddenly right behind me taking a cup of tea off the table. She took a sip and closed her eyes. “Mmm. Gingerbread.”

  My eyes darted to Shane and he beamed. “I assumed you both had similar tastes.”

  “Right you are.” Sammi grinned. “My boyfriend has hazel eyes and dark hair too.”

  “Okay, that’s enough now.” I smiled at Sammi and gave her the eyes to scram, but she stayed put.

  “Remind me never to come to you for dating advice.” Sammi chuckled as she turned her attention to Shane. “Since she won’t invite you in, I will.”

  Sammi motioned for Shane to come into my home, and I felt like a real nerd.

  There was no other word for it.

  “May I?” Shane asked, and my tongue became completely tied, and Sammi poked me on the side.

  “Yes, totally. Come in.”

  He took two steps inside and his expression turned to horror. “What in the hell is that smell?”

  Shane’s eyes darted between Sammi and me, and I had to laugh. “Cabbage.”

  “And sausage simmering in a Crockpot all day,” Sammi added.

  “Is that something you like?” Shane asked Sammi.

  “Yeah. It’s pretty good.”

  “Would you rather have a cheeseburger from down the road?”

  “I’m okay,” Sammi said, but she looked awfully tempted.

  “I might.” I smiled. “But first, I need to put these beautiful flowers in water.”

  Shane’s expression softened as Sammi smiled at him, and I wandered toward the kitchen.

  “Is Dakota always this difficult?” I heard him ask Sammi.

  “Beats me. She never dates, but I’m beginning to think that’s because she’s not any good at it.”

  Shane laughed and laughed at Sammi’s remarks while I snipped the ends of the flowers and split the bouquet between two separate crystal vases.

  I wasn’t going to let a fourteen-year-old’s love life look saner than mine.

  “These are beautiful,” I met them both in the living room with one of the vases, and it looked like they’d been devising a plan that would undoubtedly not work in my favor. “What are you doing in Fireweed this weekend?”