And he wanted her.
Chapter Six
“I need more slaw!”
Sonny’s voice rang out over the din of carnival noises bombarding her at every turn.
“Here it is,” Kiera said, placing a huge bowl of the cabbage and carrot slaw with chipotle-lime dressing in front of her. The line outside of Kiera’s Kickin’ Kajun food truck had been at least twenty people deep for the past two hours, and everybody wanted the fish tacos with the special slaw. She and Kiera endured another half hour of non-stop customers before the line finally tapered off.
Sonny slumped against the stainless steel counter, thoroughly exhausted. “Am I delusional, or has every resident in Maplesville been to this truck twice already?” She blew out a breath. “I thought that line would never end.”
“Welcome to the madness,” Kiera said. “At least I have the truck now, which makes it a lot easier than carting everything in and out of a booth like I did before I had a mobile kitchen. Talk about a nightmare.”
“So that amount of customers is normal?”
“Oh, yeah. St. Michael’s Church Fair brings in people from all over the north shore, so we’re feeding way more than just Maplesville’s residents.” She added more thinly sliced cabbage to the bowl and gave it another toss in the dressing. “We prepped as much as possible, but you can never fully prepare. And with this beautiful weather, the crowds will only grow.
“By the way, thanks for helping out today,” Kiera added. “I know this isn’t part of your job description, but Macy and I got our wires crossed. She’ll be here around five to relieve you, hopefully sooner.”
“It’s no problem,” Sonny said. She peered out of the Plexiglas window. “I never considered myself a church fair kind of girl, but to be honest, I’m having fun. I have to ride that Ferris wheel before the day is out. I haven’t ridden one in ages.”
“St. Michael’s Fair is always a blast,” Kiera said. “I don’t care how busy we are at the food truck, when the kids’ fashion show starts you have to go to the big tent. It is the most adorable thing you will see in your entire life.”
Sonny thought the entire event was the most adorable thing she’d ever seen. It was everything she’d imagined a small town church fair to be, except on a much larger scale than she’d anticipated. There had to be at least two thousand people here.
Connected booths formed the perimeter of the church grounds, with games on one side and food booths on the other. Kiera usually offered a variety of items on her food truck, but this weekend they were only selling fish tacos and crawfish etouffee-stuffed egg rolls, so that the church could sell the other traditional Louisiana favorites like jambalaya, red beans and rice, and beignets.
“Hi Sonny,” Tamyra Crane, who Sonny met last week while checking out the petite woman’s yoga studio, waved as she walked past the truck. “Hope I see you at a class next week.”
Sonny returned the wave. “I’ll try to get there,” she called out from the truck’s window.
She’d been pleasantly surprised to find a yoga studio in a small town like Maplesville, and thrilled to learn that Tamyra offered pay-as-you-go access. Sonny had not had a gym membership in nearly a year because she couldn’t find one that didn’t require patrons to sign long contracts.
She wasn’t sure when something like a gym membership began to feel claustrophobic, but these days she couldn’t bring herself to make even the tiniest commitment. It sometimes made her wonder if she had traveled too far to the other end of the spectrum. Ironically, here in Maplesville, even though the town was small, Sonny felt as if she had room to breathe.
The most startling—and somewhat unsettling—revelation she’d had in the past couple of days was that she had yet to experience the all-consuming urge to pack up and take off to the next stop on this journey she’d embarked upon a year ago. Sonny wasn’t ready to even entertain the idea of settling down in one place. Just the thought made her chest tighten in panic. But unlike previous times, when the notion of staying put crossed her mind, the panicky feeling quickly dissipated. Only a modest drum of unease remained in its place.
She wasn’t even sure how to process it. She counted on that feeling of wanderlust. It guaranteed the one thing she needed the most: Freedom.
She may have become comfortable in Maplesville much more quickly than any of the other places she’d lived since she quit her residency program, but the one thing she would not allow this small town to do is compromise her freedom. She’d fought too damn hard for it, and she wasn’t giving it up for anything.
“Hey, Kiera, do you mind if I take a walk around?” Sonny asked.
“Not at all.” Kiera nodded. “Maybe then you won’t hurt your neck looking at a certain player over there on the softball field.”
Sonny opened her mouth to protest, but Kiera stopped her, holding her hand up. “Don’t try to deny it. You glance toward the softball field every chance you get. It is so obvious it’s not even funny. Well, it’s a little funny.”
“Really, you’ve got it all wrong,” Sonny said, her valiant attempt at denial sounding weak even to her own ears.
“Oh, honey, please. It was obvious from the first time I saw the two of you together at Trey’s shop. You both were trying so hard not to notice each other that you did the exact opposite.” Her lips curved in a knowing smile. “It must be really convenient, practically living in the same house.” Kiera set her elbow on the counter and rested her chin on her fist. “Feel free to share whatever you deem appropriate.”
“There’s nothing to share.” Sonny blew out a breath and glanced at her boss. “Okay, well, maybe a little,” she mumbled. She covered her face with her hands and groaned. “Let me just say this. This town is too small for one-night stands.”
She told Kiera about the night she first met Ian at The Corral, leaving out specific details, but offering enough for her boss to certainly catch her drift. Then she relayed her shock at discovering the next day that Ian owned the apartment she had her heart set on renting.
“I was this close to saying to hell with it and trying out another city, but I’d just had that kickass interview with you and the apartment was exactly what I was looking for. I couldn’t pass it up.”
“So, that’s it? There’s nothing going on between you and Ian?”
“We decided there were too many complications.”
“But if the chemistry is there, what’s so complicated?” Kiera asked.
Sonny decided not to bring up her temporary status as a barrier to jumping into a relationship with Ian, since talk of her leaving had become a touchy subject between her and Kiera. Even though, as Sonny had pointed out, Kiera knew it was a possibility—a probability—when she hired her.
“Ian has his little sister to worry about,” Sonny said instead. “We’ve decided to avoid setting the wrong example. You can imagine the kind of mixed signals it would send if Kimmie thought there was something going on between her brother and his tenant.”
Kiera stared at her for a moment before she burst out laughing.
Sonny frowned. “What’s so funny?”
“Honey, if you think for even a second that that little girl cannot tell that there is some serious sexual tension between you and Ian, you’re both playing yourselves.”
“But we’ve been careful not to—”
Kiera cut her off. “Kids are smart. Adults tend to forget that.” She walked over to Sonny and patted her shoulder. “Take my advice, don’t fight it. You’ll just end up being frustrated at all the time the two of you wasted when you inevitably do get together.”
“It sounds as if you’re speaking from experience. Did you and Trey waste a lot of time?”
Kiera nodded, her face becoming serious. “We wasted nearly fifteen years. Don’t do what we did.”
Sonny stared at her for a moment, contemplating the cautionary tone in her voice. After wasting so many years with the wrong man, she was hesitant to even think about diving into a serious relationship.
Yet, lately, the thought of her friendship with Ian not moving toward anything more than what it was caused an odd feeling to swirl around in her gut. The desire to explore the attraction that sizzled between her and Ian every time they looked at each other was so strong, Sonny wasn’t sure how much longer she could fight it.
She hung her apron on the hook just left of the food truck’s rear door and went out to explore. She was surprised by how many faces she recognized in the throng of people ambling around the church grounds. She wasn’t sure when or even how it had happened, but somehow over the past few weeks she’d grown used to this little town. It would make leaving even harder when the time came to move on.
But you will.
Yes, she would. Because being tied down, even to a town as sweet and charming as Maplesville, was not part of her plan.
But at least you can enjoy it while you’re here.
The weather could not have been more perfect for the fair. Plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures and a gentle breeze that carried the delicious smells of all the food just waiting to be sampled.
She came upon the sweets booth and nearly lost her mind at the oodles of desserts stretched out before her. Sonny loved putting together her gourmet creations, but there was nothing better than sour cream cake and sweet potato pie made by honest-to-goodness church ladies. She saw her Maw Maw Jean in every one of their faces.
A huge white tent had been erected in the middle of the grounds. There was a main stage on one end, with a short runway that jutted out from the center. Sonny now realized it was for the fashion show that she just had to attend.
The rows of chairs were sparsely populated as another of the gospel choirs that had been singing under the big tent throughout the morning began a hymn. Their soulful songs reminded her of those summers in west Louisiana. Her parents had never been regular churchgoers, but when she visited Maw Maw Jean they attended services every Sunday. Sonny suddenly realized she hadn’t stepped foot in a church since her grandmother’s funeral.
As she strolled over to where the car show was taking place, she couldn’t help but think of her dad. Back before the Nobel Prize nomination, when he’d been just an average heart surgeon with normal—though still crazy busy—work hours, he loved visiting local antique and classic car shows. There was a red and white ’54 Ford Fairland in pristine condition among the cars lined up in St. Michael’s asphalt parking lot. He would go wild for that car.
She had her dad to thank for her VW Bug. He’d instilled that appreciation for classic automobiles in her a long time ago.
Sonny tossed all thoughts of him from her mind. Thinking about her dad and their soured relationship would kill her mood. She was at a church fair, for crying out loud. Happy thoughts should be easy to come by, right?
Heck, all she needed to think about was the softball game currently in progress toward the rear of the grounds. It was sure to inspire all manner of happy thoughts. She wasn’t particularly fond of softball. It was one of the softball players who’d caught her eye. Kiera had been telling the truth. For the past hour, whenever she went over to the window to take orders, Sonny couldn’t stop herself from catching a peek.
She’d spent the past three days since their motorcycle ride avoiding Ian as best she could. That afternoon near the pond had signaled a shift between them. Unlike their encounter in the parking lot of The Corral, which had been satisfying as hell, but purely physical, what transpired between them on Wednesday had gone far beyond satisfying a sexual ache. Ian had touched an emotional plane that Sonny thought she’d closed off more than a year ago.
She’d been so careful not to let anyone reach that far, but he’d reached it on the bank of that pond. He’d connected with that closely guarded part of her soul, the part she was so afraid to leave exposed.
That panicky feeling climbed up Sonny’s throat whenever she thought about the look of determination on Ian’s face. They’d been on the same page as far as their relationship was concerned. Simply, that there would be no relationship. But when they arrived home Wednesday night, Ian insisted they discuss what happened.
Kimmie’s interruption had saved her. When the little girl came into the garage to throw in a load of laundry, Sonny had used the opportunity to go up to her apartment. She’d made sure Vanessa Chauvin had included a line in the rental agreement she signed that her boundaries must be respected, so she knew Ian wouldn’t enter her apartment unless she invited him. Which she hadn’t.
Thankfully, he was back to working the night shift, so by the time she arrived home from the catering company he was already at work, and vice versa. However, she couldn’t avoid him today. And, honestly, she didn’t want to, not after seeing him flexing on the softball field.
The absolute best was when she caught him standing with his back to her; his feet braced apart, his arms crossed over his chest. His stance caused his white t-shirt to stretch across his solid back muscles, the hem of the shirt tapering to his waist. He’d looked too sinfully good to be standing so close to a church. She’d wanted to run her hands around his waist and lean her face against his warm back. Then she wanted his clothes to disappear.
Sonny barely held in the moan that nearly escaped.
What made her think that an underwear-swimming and blowjob combo was a bright idea?
As if she needed even more memories of Ian’s delectable body to torture her at night. Or every minute of the day. After their little escapade at Ponderosa Pond, her mind seemed determined to conjure the filthiest thoughts imaginable. She lived for those filthy thoughts.
There was an announcement over the loud speaker that the kids’ fashion show was about to start, so she made her way to the big tent. It was standing room only by the time Sonny arrived, but it was worth standing to see the kids doing their best New-York-model strut across the stage. Kiera was right, this was the most adorable thing she’d ever witnessed. She wished she’d known about the show sooner. She would have tried to convince Kimmie to take part in the eleven- to thirteen-year-old category.
Once the fashion show ended all participants were awarded tickets for the carnival rides. Sonny quickly left the tent, making a beeline straight for the Ferris wheel before the line got too long.
She was halfway to the ride when Ian fell in step next to her.
“So, you were finally able to break away from the food truck, huh?” he asked.
Sonny glanced over at him and felt a sudden burst of instant happiness. It came upon her too quickly to curb it. How was he capable of affecting her mood with his mere presence?
“Yes,” she answered. “But just for a little while. I don’t want to leave Kiera alone in the truck for too long.”
The electricity hovering between them had been there since they first met, but it had intensified ten-fold since Wednesday afternoon at Ponderosa Pond.
She waited for him to bring it up, but instead he asked, “Where are you heading?”
Sonny’s shoulders wilted with relief. She wasn’t up for that discussion, especially in the middle of a church fair. She pointed straight ahead to the Ferris wheel.
“On my way to my favorite ride.”
Ian’s steps slowed. “I don’t do heights.”
“It’s not that high,” she said. She debated for a second before she said, “You can join me if you want to.”
“On a Ferris wheel?” He stopped, shaking his head. “No way.”
“Don’t tell me you’re scared.” Sonny captured his hand and tugged, but Ian wouldn’t budge. “Oh, come on. What happened to the risk taker from a couple of days ago?”
His brow cocked. “You’re actually going there?”
Sonny wanted to kick herself. Heat suffused every part of her body. She’d spent the past few days doing everything she could to avoid talking about that afternoon, and there she was bringing it up.
“I thought you were trying to forget that day ever happened,” Ian continued. “Since, you know, you’ve dodged me like I’ve got a bad case of t
he measles since Wednesday.”
“I haven’t necessarily been avoiding you,” she lied. She’d totally been avoiding him. “I’ve just been busy.”
He continued to stare at her with that I’m-not-buying-your-bullshit look on his face. Sonny couldn’t blame him, she wouldn’t buy that lame excuse, either.
“Can we not talk about this right now?” she asked. “Please, Ian. I just want to ride the Ferris wheel before I have to get back to Kiera’s truck.”
His insistent stare told Sonny that he wouldn’t let her get away with shelving this issue for much longer. But she only had to fight it until the end of the month. Then she could decide whether to move out of the apartment or to leave Maplesville all together.
Finally, Ian relented. “Okay, I’ll ride the Ferris wheel with you. But, I swear, if you rock the car there will be hell to pay.”
“No rocking.” She laughed. “I promise.”
They came upon the Ferris wheel which, thankfully, didn’t have a long line. She’d promised Kiera she would be back by four o’clock, which gave her a little over fifteen minutes.
Ian gestured for her to go ahead of him as they walked up the ramp and onto the ride. The carnival worker held the slightly rocking car so they could both get in. Then he raised the metal gate up, locking them in place.
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into doing this,” Ian said. “I should have demanded something in return.”
“Like what?”
Sonny knew his answer even before his knowing gaze settled on her. He leaned over, and in a husky voice that sent goose bumps pebbling across her skin, said, “Do you really need me to answer that?”
God, no. She didn’t need to hear what he would have demanded of her, but she wanted to hear it.
The Ferris wheel jerked into motion and Ian nearly toppled out of the seat.
“Oh, shit,” he said, his knuckles stretching his skin as he gripped the iron bar.
Sonny tried to remain quiet, but she couldn’t help it. Laughter spilled forth from her mouth.
All You Can Handle (Moments In Maplesville Book 5) Page 10
