“Thanks,” I told Shane. “And Shane, thanks for inviting Sammi.”
“She’s my niece. I might have gotten a late start, but that doesn’t change my mind about wanting to spoil her rotten.”
“I can guarantee that she’ll enjoy that very much.”
He turned and shut the doors behind him, and I finally let out the breath I’d been holding in. It took all the self-control I had not to push Shane onto his bed and feel his body against mine.
But I was an adult and needed to learn how to control myself no matter how much my body ached.
Like literally ached for him.
I let out a wistful sigh as I shoved down my leggings and pulled up my jeans. I yanked my linen tunic over my head and found a grey camisole and a matching flannel shirt I quickly pulled on. I slipped on a pair of boots and made my way to the doors to see Shane exactly where he said he’d be.
He whipped out a cowgirl hat from behind him and rolled it into my hand. “I had this custom made for you.”
I stared at the gold chains and what looked to be diamonds encrusted in the buckle. “This is beautiful, but I can’t accept this.”
“You kind of have to.” He grinned. “They don’t do returns or exchanges on custom orders.”
I laughed and shook my head as I tipped it onto my head for a perfect fit. “This has to be the most comfortable cowgirl hat I’ve ever worn.”
“You look pretty amazing.” He ran his finger along my cheek, and my heart immediately fell to my toes and back. “Ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be. It’s been a while since I’ve ridden, but I used to always ride over at my cousins’ resort.”
“Which resort is that?” he asked.
“My cousins are the Norths. They own—”
“The Silver Ridge Resort.” He grinned. “I know those guys. They are a great bunch of guys. Great family.”
“I’m pretty partial.” I grinned, feeling that much closer to Shane. “My brother and I used to spend a lot of winters and summers there.”
“And that’s where you spend your holidays?”
I nodded.
“Well, we will have to make sure in the years to come we get there too.”
Hearing the words years to come made my head spin with possibilities, and for the first time ever I imagined a future with a man. Not any man, but Shane Parker.
“Let’s head out.” He looped his arm around my waist and led me down the stairs and through the hall and great room I’d seen from above. “There’s more to show, but I don’t want Sammi to think we abandoned her.”
I looked at Shane and wondered how in the world I’d stepped into this fantasy world where everything seemed perfect. And for the first time in my life, I refused to believe this perfection was all going to come to a crashing end.
But sometimes life had other plans.
Chapter Seventeen
We’d spent the first afternoon riding all over the property, and I spent the second day recovering. My thighs hadn’t had that kind of a workout…
Ever.
I was so exhausted I fell asleep on Shane in his own bedroom on his own bed without even so much as a kiss.
“You need any more ice?” Grandma Esther asked, looking somewhat concerned as I waddled into the kitchen.
I laughed and shook my head. “Age has a way of catching up to a person.”
“Tell me about it.” Grandma Esther nodded. “Clearly if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. That’s why I can never get Fred to slow down no matter how hard I try.”
“It’s probably good life advice.”
“It’s all I got.” She poured me some orange juice, and Sammi came bounding into the kitchen. It looked as if she’d been up for hours.
“Can you believe we’ve already been here for three days?” she asked. “I want to spend my whole summer here.”
I smiled. “Have you told your dad what you’ve been up to?”
“Yeah, and Cynthia spoke to Uncle Shane so we can all come back at the end of summer. Dad took a week off from work. I think they shortened their honeymoon to do it.”
“Wow. That’s sweet of them.” My heart tugged at the kindness of Charles and Cynthia. They were determined to do right by Sammi, and I hoped I never let them down in that department either.
Grandpa Fred came into the kitchen and went straight for the coffeepot. His leathery skin was heavily lined, but he had a spring in his step that couldn’t be touched. His kind eyes connected with mine, and he bowed his head.
“Morning, Dakota. Hope you slept well.”
“I did. It’s so peaceful here.” I thought back to Fireweed Island and how I was in the middle of Puget Sound on a small island that was only accessible by ferry, yet this place felt far more peaceful.
Or maybe I was just finally at peace myself.
Shane was in his office. He’d left bed a couple hours ago and let me sleep, or more like recover, while he took care of business.
He charged into the kitchen, but slowed when he saw Sammi and me.
“Hey, you two. Have you had breakfast yet?” Shane asked.
Sammi laughed. “I’ve been up for hours.” She pointed at me. “It’s that one who just woke up.”
Shane smiled and poured himself a cup of coffee. “I believe it.”
“Hey, now.” I narrowed my eyes on him.
“Can I go riding today?” Sammi asked Shane who looked at Grandpa Fred.
“I don’t see why not.” Shane held up his mug of coffee, and Grandpa Fred grinned with satisfaction. It was like he was thrilled he was creating a cowgirl.
I glanced out the window and saw several workers outside tending to the animals, and I chewed on my bottom lip. I could see why Shane wouldn’t want to leave here, but I couldn’t imagine leaving Fireweed behind either.
But I was getting ahead of myself.
“We better watch out or Sammi will become infatuated with all things equine and Charles and Cynthia will have to move out of the city and to a farm,” I told Shane who smiled.
“Would that be all bad?” Shane laughed.
“No, probably not,” I confessed, thinking back to Trey.
“Do you mind taking a picture?” Sammi asked me, adjusting her ponytail.
She handed me her phone before I even had a chance to answer.
Sammi had already posted twenty pictures to her social media since we’d arrived, so she was obviously taking Cynthia’s advice to heart.
“Where’d you want the picture this time?” I asked.
“How about by the pool?”
I laughed. “Sounds like you’re a woman on a mission.”
“You know it.” Her eyes widened and she chuckled.
I followed her outside and felt Shane’s gaze on me. I looked through the window and saw him sipping his coffee and watching us as I snapped photos. He looked so happy and relaxed here. It made me feel bad for even thinking about him having to spend time on Fireweed, but he did have two projects on the island.
“I was thinking of maybe driving into town.” Shane had walked outside and was leaning against a stone wall circling the far end of the pool. “Would either of you like to come with me?”
“What’s in town?” Sammi asked, jumping off the boulder she’d been posing on while I snapped photos of her in cowgirl boots, jeans, and a t-shirt with a flannel tied around her waist.
“Not much,” Sam confessed and smiled. “There’s a western store, a grocery store, small gift store in the pharmacy, and a Laundromat.”
Sammi’s brow rose.
“There used to be a bowling alley, but it went out of business a couple years ago.”
“I think I’ll stay and ride, if that’s okay.”
“Of course.” Shane let out a laugh. “I didn’t think it sounded exactly like a teenager’s dream shopping spree.”
“I would like to hit the gift store to pick up something for my dad and Cynthia before I go home though.”
“Totally.”
“Wel
l, I’d like to see the heart of the town,” I piped up, glancing at Sammi who gave you an I told you so look about giving me time alone with Shane. I hid my chuckle and handed Sammi her phone back.
“Hey, did you get any pics of you standing in front of the plane?” Shane asked.
Sammi’s eyes widened and she nearly gasped. “Why didn’t I think of that? That would totally make Trey salivate.”
“My pleasure. We’ll make sure to get some before you leave.”
“Totally.” Sammi happily grinned and made her way toward the stable, sliding her phone into her front pocket.
I spotted Grandpa Fred wandering down by the horses and knew she’d be taken care of.
“So?” he asked, trying to read my mind.
“It’s kind of crazy to think—”
“What? That two adults might be attracted to one another?” His expression was coated with kindness.
“You’re saying you’re attracted to me?” I smiled in return.
“I thought that was obvious.”
I laughed. “Maybe I’m a little slow.”
“Or you just like playing games.”
“Isn’t that what dating is? One big game?”
“It shouldn’t be.” He drew my hand to his mouth. “It won’t be with me.”
“And I appreciate that. I’m not sure I can handle all the demands a relationship puts a person through. It’s a lot, and I can get cranky if I don’t get my way.”
“I gathered that a long time ago.” He smirked, and all it made me want to do was drag him upstairs.
“You want to grab anything or just head out now?” Shane asked as I looked down at my flannel pjs.
“My hunch is I ought to put on some real pants and a shirt. Maybe even throw in a shower.”
He laughed.
“Honestly, you’d fit right in like that.” He walked over to me and slid his arm around my waist and led me toward the house when Grandma Esther came rushing out the double doors.
“Shane, you need to come quick. The sheriff is at the door.”
Shane stiffened, and his gaze locked on mine.
“What’s going on?” he asked the woman.
“The sheriff wouldn’t tell me. Said he had to speak directly with you.”
My heart stammered as Shane’s hand clenched mine, and we nearly ran inside.
More officers than the sheriff stood inside of Shane’s foyer. Every officer’s expression was grim, and my body began trembling.
I didn’t know what was going on, but it wasn’t good. I took a deep breath as we slowed in front of the sheriff.
“Shane, I have some news about your family.” The sheriff removed his hat and placed it over his heart. My world started spinning as I felt Shane’s grip tighten around my hand.
“What about Cynthia? What about her? My parents?” Shane’s voice broke.
“She was in an accident.” The officer’s gaze dropped to the floor before meeting Shane’s. “They were all in an accident, Shane. The doctors tried to revive her, but her injuries were too severe. Your parents—”
“Where is she?” He nearly barked. “What kind of accident? What about my parents?”
My mind began spinning, and I realized I hadn’t heard a word from Charles.
I turned numb as I stared at the men in front of me. This wasn’t happening.
“It was a vehicular accident.” The sheriff’s jaw twitched. “There were four people in the vehicle. Your parents died at the scene and so did the other occupant.”
Oh, God. Not Charles. Tears sprang to my eyes. Not Charles. Please not Charles.
My knees weakened, and I clung to Shane for support as he stood frozen staring at the group of men in front of us.
Charles. What about Charles? Maybe it wasn’t Charles. Oh, Sammi.
And Cynthia. Cynthia. How could this be? No. This had to be a nightmare. A nightmare.
Nothing more than a nightmare. This couldn’t be happening. Not to Sammi. Oh, not to Sammi, my angel.
“Who was the fourth person in the car?” Shane’s voice remained steady, but I saw him swallow hard.
“We aren’t at liberty to say until next of kin is notified.”
“Was it Charles Troner?” Shane took a step forward. “Was it my sister’s husband in the car?”
“We aren’t at liberty—”
“God damn it, sheriff. I’ve got my niece here right now. Was it Charles Troner in the car? Was her father in the car?”
The sheriff’s gaze dipped, and he gave a half nod.
I fell to my knees screaming a scream that no one heard as my body collapsed, my hand untwisting from Shane’s as everything I knew about this life ended.
I stared at the floor as I saw the men’s feet file out through the door. Shane knelt down to me and cupped my hands in his.
“I’m so sorry, Shane. I’m so sorry. Your family. I can’t believe this. Please tell me it’s not true.”
“Oh, baby. I wish I could,” His voice muffled into my hair as he drew me into him. Our bodies shuddering with each cry of pain we shared.
“I’ll keep Sammi outside until you’re ready,” Grandma Esther whispered, running her hand over my head. “We’ll keep her busy. We’ll get through this.”
“Thank you,” I said, taking a deep breath in and trying to muster strength to breathe, to live, to be strong for Sammi. To be strong for Shane.
I pulled away and my gaze met his. Tears rimmed his lids as he stared at the wood bannister in front of us.
“I don’t understand.” He shook his head. “Why were they together?”
“I don’t know. Charles hadn’t mentioned anything.”
“Neither did my parents.”
“The world isn’t this cruel.” Tears streamed down my face as I thought about my Sammi. “I don’t understand.”
He cupped my neck and brought me into him as we shed tears for the loss that seemed too fresh to be real and the innocence that was about to be ripped away from Sammi.
“I’m so sorry, Shane. I can’t even imagine.”
“I’m an adult, Dakota. I’ll get through this,” his voice cracked. “But Sammi.”
“I know.” My lips trembled thinking about Sammi, and the tears came rushing back as all the memories of Charles came rushing through me.
Our first apartment together. Celebrating his first accounting job. Celebrating his first promotion. Celebrating Sammi.
Footsteps approached behind us and a faint voice echoed down the hall.
“No, Sammi. They aren’t here. Why don’t you go back outside?”
“There were police out front and Shane’s truck’s still here.”
We turned to see Sammi standing in front of us as we huddled together, holding each other like our lives depended on it.
And maybe our lives did.
“Dakota, what’s the matter? What’s wrong?” Sammi’s voice was urgent with fear. “Why are you crying?”
Chapter Eighteen
I closed my eyes and prayed that God would give me the strength to get through the day. Shane had flown us straight to Seattle where he immediately identified his parents and sister, and Sammi begged to see her father.
The accident was a single car crash. Shane’s father had a stroke while driving them to brunch.
Knowing how or why didn’t make it hurt any less.
And today was Cynthia and Charles’ funerals.
Shane and I had attended his parents’ memorial service yesterday.
Sammi was in her bedroom, and Shane was sitting in the living room. The home Cynthia, Charles, and Sammi shared was a home full of love and doting pictures of the life they’d all created over the years. It didn’t take that wedding to make these three a family. They’d been a family long before that piece of paper was filed with the county.
I looked in the mirror and sniffed in as I blotted away the tears from my bloodshot eyes. Sammi had been staying at my home on Fireweed for the last few days. But today, she wanted to come to he
r home to get ready.
She was a brave girl, and I only hoped I could be half the woman someday that she was. In the meantime I vowed to do anything and everything for Sammi.
I heard voices downstairs and walked slowly to the open door and listened.
“Cynthia loved you, Shane. She always talked about how you were her hero. She regretted things, but I know she loved you. I think my dad might have been a little jealous, actually.” She giggled softly.
I heard Shane sniff in, and my heart ached for them both. Of course, Sammi would be trying to comfort everyone else. That was because Sammi was Charles’ daughter. They were two peas in a pod. My throat tightened, and I clenched my eyes shut, feeling the pain jut through my veins.
“My sister thought of you as her daughter, Sammi. You were the best gift she’d ever been given.”
Sammi’s muffled cries tore at my heart, but I didn’t want to interrupt their shared, private pain. Instead, I slid down the wall and held my head in my hands as I thought about this world without Charles. Without Cynthia.
And all the love they showered on Sammi. The love she would no longer receive.
Oh, how would I manage? I drew in a shaky breath and scolded myself for not keeping myself together. I’d lost a friend.
A good friend, but nonetheless a friend.
Sammi lost her father. Shane, his sister and parents.
It wasn’t my place to fall apart. I did that already and all it did was remind me why I needed to put my walls back up.
This kind of pain wasn’t healthy. I couldn’t bear it. I couldn’t afford to feel it. I had to Sammi to take care of.
It became apparent very quickly that in the event it was ever necessary that Charles had set things up for me to look after Sammi. I was appointed her legal guardian years ago and a trust had been established.
I remembered when Charles asked me if I’d be Sammi’s guardian, and of course, I agreed, but the idea seemed so cavalier, so abstract. No one ever expects these things to actually happen.
I looked at the clock on Cynthia and Charles’ wall. We needed to get going or we’d be late. I stood up and straightened my black dress and went to the bathroom mirror once more to blot my eyes and add more concealer under my eyes.
Accidental Love on Meadow Cove Lane (Island County Series Book 10) Page 14
