by C. A. Harms
"Then let me help you."
"Oh, are you a florist now?"
"I can be whatever you want me to be." Grinning at me, I was thankful the counter was separating us.
As if reading my thoughts, Wyatt stood tall and walked around the island, stepping in closer to me. I stared at his chest afraid to make eye contact. My mind once again battling with what my body wanted. "I just want you to be real?"
The silence of the shop was deafening. My words hanging heavily between us.
Then I felt his hand glide over my shoulder, along the side of my neck, before his thumb nudges my head to lift. When my eyes met his, I noticed immediately there was absolutely no humor in his expression. "I've never in my life been more real, than when I’m with you."
The way his palm caressed my face, his thumb softly gliding over my jaw left me in awe. Again, lost to the feel of Wyatt's touch.
"I'm not gonna screw this up, I know you're waiting for that, expecting it." I felt raw and tried to look away, but he didn't allow it. "I will never be anything but real, I promise you that. I like you Sadie, and I want more than anything for us to have a chance. I want to get to know you, I want you to know me."
"Dinner sounds good," I whispered.
"No movie?"
"We'll see how the night goes." Biting my lips I hide the smile.
“I'll take that." Leaning in, he lightly kissed my lips and my eyes fluttered shut. "Don't be scared of this." He kissed me once more, only this time he lingered there a little longer, trailing over my lower lip with his tongue. I gripped his shirt, feeling my desire for him take over.
It was him that pulled away, trailing his thumb over my lower lip, his eyes following the movement. "Six, I'll pick you up."
I laughed, the idea of him walking across the driveway to knock on my front door was funny.
"People are talking," he added and again our gazes locked. "I like hearing our names being whispered."
Allowing his hand to fall away from my face, he stepped back. "Friday is three days away, so this is my invite to you to pop in if you feel the need. I like your surprise visits to my back door, Ms. Michaels." Winking, he walked away leaving me staring after him.
Feelings of excitement, hope, and anticipation filling me from head to toe.
Chapter Nineteen
Wyatt
* * *
"Ma," I hollered through the house, as I stepped in through the doorway. Met with silence I continued my search, looking in each room one by one. "Will?" My brother's truck was outside, but neither of them appeared to be around.
Walking back outside, I started toward the barn.
When I reached the doorway, I paused when I heard the sound of someone crying.
Immediately I felt my chest tighten knowing that it was my mother. Mourning the loss of my father had been something that still lingered heavily in all of us. I'd never met a man like him, and every day I aspired to be half the man he was. Loyal and strong, fought daily for those he loved, and the man had a heart of gold. His goal was the happiness of his family, he worked hard to provide for us and there wasn't a day that went by that each of us didn't know just how much he loved us.
His loss to my mother was like losing half her soul, she was so empty without him. I wanted to heal her, only I couldn't. I wanted to hold her and assure her that everything would be okay, but for her, I'm not sure it ever would be. How do you live after the love of your life passes? I'd never loved like that, not yet. Yes, I cared for Karlie, but I'm not sure I ever truly loved her, not the kind of love my parents shared.
After a few minutes of regaining my strength, I stepped past the barn doors and instantly froze. There in the opening of one of the stalls stood my brother, holding my mother to his chest, his arms wrapped around her so tightly she appeared so small. His own face stained with tears. That was something I'd rarely seen, Will showing emotion.
I knew he hid a lot behind his need to appear strong, but it was a facade.
Will had never really broken, not that I'd seen anyway. He was too busy drinking, partying, and causing shit.
When he noticed me standing there, I saw the way his throat bobbed as he tried to hide his emotions. I wasn't blind, I could see right through my little brother, and in that very moment, I had never been prouder of him. I moved in closer, taking them both against me. “We will make it through anything that comes our way because we’ll do it together."
It was something my father had always said to us.
I could feel both of them shaking in my embrace, and I squeezed them a little harder.
Together we stood there, for how long I'm not sure but I think we all needed it. It was a moment for the man that we all would miss every day of the rest of our lives. A man that had spent his days and nights loving us with no hesitations. A man that was still here with us, and that I knew always would be.
"All we can do is live the life he provided for us. Love those around us the way he loved us, and try our hardest every day to make him proud." That was the motto I'd lived by since the day I said my last words to him.
"I'll watch over them, Dad, I promise I'll protect them."
And even when I wanted to strangle Will, I still followed that promise I'd given my father and I always would.
"Is this okay?" Sadie looked down at herself as if she was second-guessing her outfit.
"It's perfect." I reached out and grabbed her hand giving it a tug as I spun her around making her laugh. She wore a pair of tight-fitting black jeans, boots mid-calf, zipped up the side. A red sweater, and a black coat over it.
Her in red was my new favorite.
The weather had started to cool, winter was coming fast. Thoughts of her and I cozy in front of my fireplace inside flashed in my mind.
"You look perfect," I whispered when she placed her hands on my chest and leaned in closer. Her lips only inches from mine. I could have kissed her right then, but instead, I stepped to the side and began leading her to my awaiting truck. Opening the door, I held her hand as she climbed up inside.
When she was safely tucked inside, I walked around the front, and once inside, I reached out, linking my fingers with hers. Bringing our joined hands to my mouth, I kissed her knuckles and felt satisfied when I saw her shudder.
Sadie did her best to hide her reaction to me, trying to stay strong and guarded, but those little reactions assured me that she too felt the pull I did. I worried daily that she would always hold back with me, but I hoped that I’d be able to break down those walls she'd built.
"Thought we'd go right outside of town, visit the steakhouse just off the highway," and it would give us a little privacy from the nosy gossip train of Mason Creek. Not that I cared whatever they had to say, but I was hoping it would provide Sadie with the ability to relax.
"That sounds nice."
Backing up, I turned the truck around and started down the long driveway toward Mueller Lane. The entire drive I kept ahold of Sadie's hand and not once did she attempt to pull away. I noticed the way she watched as our small town passed us by, looking at all the storefronts.
"Did you get everything ready for tomorrow?" Worried the silence was too much, I'd gone with the first thing that popped in my head.
"Yeah." Turning her gaze toward me, she smiled. "Miley and I have been working late the last few nights doing everything that we can to prepare. We're going in early tomorrow to receive the fresh shipment of flowers that we have to add to the bouquets. We have to have everything to the church and set up by eleven."
“I'm sure it will all be beautiful."
"I hope so, this is the first event since I've been back and put in charge. Screwing that up will be an epic fail on my part." I could tell she was nervous as she worried her lip.
"You need help taking everything over to the church?"
"Thanks, but I think we've got it. Levi and Beau offered to help." I nodded but already knew that I'd be making a call to Beau later to find out what time I should meet him. There wa
s no way I would be sitting back while he and Levi helped.
For the remainder of the drive, I listened to Sadie talk about the colors and the demands of the bride. At one point she was moving her hands, expressing herself and she pulled away from me. I instantly missed her touch and thought of grabbing it back but instead, left it resting on the center console that separated us.
Parked outside of the steakhouse, I told her to wait as I hurried around and opened her door for her. Taking her hand back in mine as she climbed down, I paused there in the open doorway of my truck, with Sadie positioned in front of me. The way she tilted her head up looking at me with a sly smile I couldn't resist kissing her. "I've been looking forward to tonight since I walked out of the shop the other night. I missed your visits to my door."
"You do know that you could visit me too?"
"Is that an invitation?"
Instead of answering me she rose up onto her tiptoes and kissed me once more. And in that very second, I knew that Sadie Michaels was going to be the one to knock me flat on my ass. One look, a simple smile had me weak and knowing that I'd do anything asked without hesitation.
Chapter Twenty
Sadie
* * *
"I'm so full." Placing my hand over my stomach I let out a deep breath. Dinner was amazing, and the company was even better.
Wyatt talked about his father, and I could sense his sadness. Losing my father would be one of the hardest this I could imagine. It would destroy me.
“Tonight was nice," he kept my hands in his as we stood outside my door. He seemed nervous, and I was glad I wasn't the only one. "Are you going to the fall festival on Sunday?"
"I have a booth." Another thing my mother did yearly that I was now responsible for. "You?"
"I'll be on duty." He leaned back against the railing that surrounded the small front porch on the cottage. Using the advantage of our hands being linked he pulled me in closer and I went without hesitation. "Maybe I'll see you tomorrow?" It sounded like a question and I found it adorable that he was so hopeful.
"Possibly." My body desired to be closer to him so I gave in and stepped in between his parted legs. His free hand falling to my hip. Pulling my hand from his I moved them around the back of his neck and toyed with his hair at the base of his neck. The way his eyes fluttered from my touch again made me a little braver. "We could meet for coffee in the morning."
"I'd like that," he whispered hoarsely, and I felt satisfaction in the reaction he had to me.
Pressing a kiss to his lips his eyes closed and I took the opportunity to watch him as I kissed him once more. "Sadie," he sighed my name.
"Yes."
Gripping my hips he pulled me in tighter, circling my waist with his arms.
"Kissing you," he mumbled his lips dancing over mine.
"Yes?" I do all I could to keep him talking, wanting to know everything that is running through his mind, needing to hear it desperately.
"It's addictive," his words muffled from his lips being pressed to mine. "So, addictive." His hands go to my hair, his fingers tangling in the strands. "I could kiss you for hours."
I knew what he meant, there was so much feeling in the way his lips moved over mine. A teasing game, desire, a need so demanding it was next to impossible to fight. Climbing over him and grinding against him ran through my mind, but I fought the urge.
The sounds of tires popping against the gravel of the driveway triggered me to step back and the moment between us was lost. The headlights of the truck blinding us as it parked next to Wyatt's.
"Damn it," Wyatt mumbled. Just before a loud booming voice echoed over the darkened yard.
"I guess the rumors of my brother landing himself a cute brunette are true." Will Murphy, all grown up. "How you been Sadie?" He smiled knowingly as he walked toward me and picked me up spinning me in a circle. “Damn girl, you've outgrown that awkward phase. You're smokin’!"
I swatted at his shoulder but laughed at his forwardness. Still a little charmer, only taller, more built, and yes just as attractive as his older brother. The Murphy brothers were lucky in that department there was no doubt.
"Will." He stopped, still holding me in his arms, and looked over at Wyatt. His older brother giving him a death glare.
"Uh oh," he flashed me a grin, "big bro, don't look happy."
Slowly lowering me to the ground, he ensured I was stable before letting go and stepping back.
"Sorry to interrupt."
"Are you?" Wyatt's earlier happy and relaxed mood had shifted to one of annoyance.
"Had I known that you were busy…" When he said the word busy, he wagged his brows making me laugh. I quickly cleared my throat and tried to cover my mouth. It was too late I had the attention of both of them making me feel like I was on the spot.
"I think I'm gonna call it a night." Wyatt immediately reached out for my hand and took a step closer.
"You don't have to."
"I do," I confessed. "I have an early morning and a long day tomorrow. A good night's sleep wouldn't be a bad thing."
It was obvious he'd preferred to keep me close. I understood the feeling, but taking things slow was better.
"I'll see you for coffee tomorrow." With our fingers linked I gave him a squeeze. "Is seven-thirty too early?"
"Not soon enough,” he complained.
For a second, I'd forgotten that his brother was there to witness our interaction. That was until he'd cleared his throat and I looked toward him just in time to see him rock back on his heels. Looking up at the night sky he whistled and again I couldn't help but smile.
Offering Wyatt that same smile I stepped back, and our hands fell apart. "Good night," digging my keys out of my purse I turned around and unlocked my front door. "Thanks again for dinner." I wanted to say more, like thanks for the kisses that curled my toes and made me feel so alive, but I kept that to myself.
Offering a little wave, I walked inside and closed the door behind me.
I heard a grunt, followed by loud laughter. Peeking out through the blind I caught them stumbling off the deck, Wyatt holding his younger brother in a headlock. It was sweet seeing them wrestling around as they moved toward the back door of the cabin.
That night I'd fallen asleep to the memories of Wyatt kissing me. Replaying his words in my mind and amazed by the fact that he doesn't hold back what's running through his mind. I'd never had a guy that made me feel so many things with only a few sentences.
Whether I wanted to admit it or not, I was developing feelings for Wyatt. Wanting to hold back, to be cautious was something I was fighting. Just two nights with him and I was already imagining what a life with him would be like.
And that scared the hell out of me, but it excited me so much more.
Chapter Twenty-One
Wyatt
* * *
I was early to Java Jitters, ordering for both Sadie and me already, I took a chance and ordered two muffins as a surprise.
Sitting at a table in the corner, I sat facing the door in anticipation of her arrival.
"Hi Wyatt," my entire body tensed, and I debated on ignoring Karlie but knew I didn't want her standing there when Sadie walked in. How I’d missed her when I arrived was easy considered I was lost in the thought of spending more time with Sadie.
"Thought you left town," I barely gave her a two-second glance before looking back toward the door.
"Things didn't work out so I came back to stay with Gram until I get back on my feet." She kept a distance which I was glad for. She was leery, and I wanted her to be. Any chance for us was lost, there wasn't even room for common decency. I had no comparison for this worry. “I’m sorry about everything."
"I don't need your apology," it was a waste of her time and of mine. "You're here, I can't make you leave. All I can ask is that you move about like you and I are complete strangers. I've moved on, there's no going back. There will never be a time when I want you in my life, so please just give me that. It's all I want
or need from you."
She didn't step away right away and the bell on the door jingled, indicating that another person had entered. My heart raced when I watched Sadie scan over the coffee shop, her eyes landing on mine, a smile tugging at her lips before shifting to Karlie. Recognition dawned on her and one single moment of hesitation crossed over her face.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Karlie begin to move and as she passed Sadie the two women shared a look. I know that Karlie knew who she was. When we were together, she loved to bring up how I'd chosen her instead of Sadie.
"Hey," I said loud enough to gain Sadie's attention. "I already ordered."
Karlie pushed open the door, Sadie watched her walk out before walking in my direction. She paused holding her purse tightly to her side. I hated more than anything the doubt that was dancing in her eyes.
"Was that," pointing over her shoulder she avoided looking directly at me.
"Yes," I answered her before she had the chance to finish her question. "Apparently she is back in town."
"Oh," She nervously chewed on her lip. "If you two need time to talk or something,--"
I wouldn't allow this to be her chance to back out of what was happen between her and me. I stood, stepping out from behind the table I grabbed her hand. "That chapter of my life is over, it's been over for quite some time. Don't even let your thoughts go there."
"It's just," her words come to an abrupt stop when I kissed her. She and I were happening, I wouldn't let anything change that.
"I'm where I want to be," she blinked up at me, I think a little taken back by my advance. "With the only person, I want to be with." She nodded, looking around the coffee house. Her cheeks reddening when she realized just how many people were sitting around us. I didn't care, I'd kiss her in the center of town with everyone watching if I could. "Will you please join me and get rid of any doubt you may have rolling around in your mind?"
