Sand Castle Bay

by Sherryl Woods

  “We’ll give it our best shot, that’s for sure,” he promised.

  “Talk to you tomorrow?”

  “Absolutely. I’ll catch up with you on your cell, since it sounds as if you’re going to be on the go from morning till night.”

  “Good night, then.”

  “Wish you were here,” he said. “You have no idea how much.”

  “Oh, I have some idea,” she said with feeling.

  Being back in his bed even once had left her wanting more. A whole lifetime, in fact.

  But today had complicated the likelihood of smooth sailing for the two of them. While her work had always been satisfying and challenging, today, for the very first time, she’d felt she was doing something important. She liked the way that felt. It added an element of fulfillment she’d never anticipated.

  But to do work like this shelter, she would have to accept even more paying jobs, which would lead to being busier than ever. How would the addition of a relationship work, especially with Boone on the opposite coast?

  She sighed and pushed that worry out of her head. It wasn’t a problem she could solve, not tonight and not alone, but there were plenty of other things she could tackle. Better to concentrate on those, at least for now.

  15

  “What’s with her?” Emily asked, gesturing in the direction Gabi had taken. She’d fled the room right after Emily walked into her grandmother’s house on her return from California and Colorado.

  “She says she has the flu,” Samantha said. “I have to tell you, though, I’m a little worried about her. It’s not like her to miss more work, not when she was so anxious to get back over there. I think she’s more stressed out about that job than she’s been letting on.”

  Emily stared at her sister in surprise. “She never went back to Raleigh? I thought she was heading home the same day I left.”

  “That was the plan, but then she came down with this bug and hasn’t been able to shake it.”

  “Has she seen a doctor?”

  Samantha shook her head, her frustration plain. “Grandmother wanted her to stop by Ethan’s clinic, but she refused. She insisted she’d be fine and would be heading home by the end of last week. When she blew off that deadline, too, I was tempted to drag her to the clinic myself.”

  Emily grinned. “Not that you’re looking for an excuse to get a glimpse of Ethan, I’m sure.”

  “Bite me,” Samantha replied, probably unaware that the color in her cheeks betrayed her interest in the old high school football hero.

  “Still can’t take the teasing, huh? Then you should stop wearing that old football jersey of his around the house.”

  “It’s comfortable,” Samantha insisted. “So, how was your trip? You were gone longer than I’d expected.”

  “I was gone longer than I’d expected,” Emily said. “But the work is so exciting, Samantha. It’s going to take a miracle to pull this off by Thanksgiving, but I really want to do it. I think everyone working on the project understands how important it is to have this place ready by then. What a blessing it will be for some of these women and their kids to be in a safe environment for the holiday.”

  Samantha smiled. “I love seeing you excited about something so worthwhile, rather than indulging the whims of all these wealthy clients of yours.”

  Emily took offense at the comment. “Those wealthy clients make it possible for me to take on a project like this.”

  “I suppose,” Samantha conceded, letting the subject drop and moving on to what she obviously considered to be safer territory. “How soon can we expect to see Boone? I imagine he’s anxious to get over here now that you’re back.”

  Emily frowned. “Not till tomorrow, I’m afraid. B.J. had asked a friend to spend the night before Boone knew when I’d be getting back into town.”

  “I could go over and give him a break,” Samantha offered. “Or you could go over yourself and help chaperone.”

  Emily shook her head. “We agreed it’s best that we not spend too much time together around B.J. And if Boone took off, even for an hour, B.J. would know something’s up.”

  “So all this caution around B.J. is just in case things don’t work out,” Samantha guessed. “I suppose that makes sense, but how do you feel about it?”

  “Not great, to be honest,” Emily admitted. “Still, the last thing I want is for B.J. to get hurt. So, Boone will shoo B.J.’s friend out as early as humanly possible, then come by here for a quick visit before he takes B.J. out to shop for school.”

  Samantha’s gaze narrowed. “You’re not going with them?”

  “Nope.” She tried to keep her expression neutral, but she was sure it was plain how much that grated, too.

  “Emily, this isn’t good,” her sister protested.

  “Boone’s son. Boone’s rules,” Emily said tersely. “And after hearing how Jodie Farmer reacted when Boone and I were spotted by one of her friends, I can understand his caution on that front, too.”

  “Well, I don’t,” Samantha said, her indignation rising. “I think this stinks. I’m not seeing a lot of respect for your feelings. When exactly are you supposed to spend time together, or do you plan to sneak out for a quickie in the driveway while B.J. sleeps?”

  Emily frowned. “Come on,” she protested. “It’s not going to be like that.”

  “You sure about that? Because it sounds to me as if at least one of you believes that what you’re doing is wrong or, at the very least, doesn’t want to rock any boats in case it doesn’t last. Is that you?”

  “No,” Emily admitted, knowing that Samantha had a point. The situation had been bugging her, too. For now, though, she was determined to be understanding. She knew Boone’s attitude had almost as much to do with his feelings of betrayal and abandonment when she’d left the first time as it did with protecting B.J. Whether he’d admit it or not, he was keeping his guard up. And with the Farmers’ threats looming, he had added incentive for being cautious.

  Samantha, however, made no pretense of understanding. “You need to change the rules, Emily. Right now, they’re not fair to anybody, and certainly not to you. You shouldn’t have to sneak around to be with the man you love, not at this stage of your life. And Boone shouldn’t ask it of you.”

  “I know you’re right,” Emily said, her own misgivings confirmed by her sister. “I thought it was too soon to make an issue about this, but I will talk to Boone when I see him. There has to be a better plan.”

  Unfortunately, if she was being totally honest, she couldn’t imagine what it might be, not with the past weighing so heavily on the present.

  * * *

  Boone was thoroughly frustrated by having to waste a whole night of what would likely be a very brief stay by Emily. He just hadn’t been able to think of an alternative. Alex’s mother would have been happy to have the boys at her house, but he’d been asking a lot of her recently. He just couldn’t ask again, not after the invitation had already been issued. By now Kim probably had plans of her own. As a single mom, he was sure she must crave a social life that didn’t include a couple of rambunctious eight-year-old boys.

  With the boys upstairs playing video games, Boone went into the kitchen and called Emily’s cell phone.

  “Hey,” he said, his heart skipping a beat at the sound of her voice.

  “Hey yourself.”

  “Any problems getting here?”

  “Nope. Smooth flights all the way and an easy drive over.”

  “I wish I could have been at Cora Jane’s when you got there,” he said.

  “You could have been,” she said, her tone mildly accusatory.

  Her attitude caught him by surprise. “Come on, Emily. I explained about this sleepover.”

  “You did, but I’ve been giving that some thought. Would it have bee
n so awful for you to bring both boys over here for a couple of hours? We could have grilled some burgers or something. B.J. wouldn’t have made anything out of that.”

  “Probably not,” he admitted. “I just didn’t want to chance it.”

  “Because B.J.’s so intuitive or because you’re afraid word will get back to Jodie?” she pressed.

  Boone was taken aback by the unexpectedly bitter note in her voice. “Both,” he said. “But I thought you understood. What’s changed? Did somebody say something to upset you? Cora Jane, for instance?”

  “It’s not about what anyone else thinks. I’m the one who’s frustrated,” she admitted. “I came all this way. I have only a couple of days here, and we’re going to spend, what, maybe a few hours together? That’s not going to work, Boone. We can’t build a relationship that way.”

  “Sweetheart, believe me, I am every bit as frustrated as you are. This sleepover came up before I knew your schedule. Next time I won’t let anything interfere. I’ll make plans for B.J. so we can have every minute together. Don’t you think that’s what I want, too?”

  She sighed. “Yes, of course.”

  “Come shopping with us tomorrow,” he said impulsively. “I know you wanted to.”

  “But you said it was a bad idea,” she countered, clearly surprised by his change of heart.

  “It may be, but it’s not as if anybody can make anything of us being caught together buying school supplies or eating lunch in a mall food court.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” he said before he could change his mind. He couldn’t allow Jodie’s hostility to rule his life. If she got wind of him being with Emily, so be it. She needed to get used to the idea sooner or later and it might as well start now.

  Of course, if him being with Emily infuriated his former mother-in-law, it was likely to be nothing compared to what she’d have to say about B.J. being along. Still, B.J. was his son, and a shopping trip was about as innocuous an outing as the three of them could possibly take.

  “I’ll pick you up at ten, as soon as I drop Alex off. We’ll make a day of it. You game?”

  “For shopping?” she asked with a laugh. “Hon, you are talking my language.”

  Boone had a feeling he’d opened more than one can of worms with his invitation. Giving his credit card a serious workout was probably the least of it.

  * * *

  B.J. flew across the yard when he spotted Emily and threw his arms around her. “You’re back!” he announced happily. “Dad, look who’s here.”

  Boone grinned. “I heard. I figured you’d want to stop by and say hello.”

  “Are you back for good?” B.J. asked hopefully.

  “Only for a couple of days,” she said, hugging him tightly. “Now, stand back and let me get a good look at you. I think you’ve grown at least an inch since I left.”

  “Dad says it’s at least two inches this summer. All my school pants are too short.”

  “Then you definitely need new ones,” Emily said. “Ready to do some serious shopping?”

  B.J.’s eyes widened excitedly. “You’re coming, too?”

  “I am,” she confirmed, her gaze on Boone, who was smiling, even though she thought she could detect a hint of worry in his eyes.

  “Awesome!” B.J. said with a first pump. “Dad says we can eat in the food court and I can have pizza and tacos.”

  Emily feigned surprise. “Really? That’s a lot of food. Think you can handle it?”

  “Sure,” B.J. said confidently. “I’m a growing boy. I need lots and lots of food. That’s what Grandma Jodie says. But she thinks I should only eat vegetables and fruit and stuff like that. She’s a veggie...” He glanced at Boone. “What is she, Dad?”

  “A vegetarian,” Boone explained.

  “Ah,” Emily said. “That can be a very healthy lifestyle.” Just a little tough on a kid, whose friends were eating pepperoni pizza, burgers and fries. Still, she wasn’t about to criticize his grandmother’s choices. That was a surefire way to stir up trouble with Jodie Farmer.

  “Son, why don’t you run inside and say hello to Cora Jane?” He glanced hopefully at Emily. “She’s home, right? Doesn’t she go in a little later on Saturdays?”

  “She’s here,” Emily confirmed. “She claimed she took the morning off to spend a little time with me, but the truth is, I think she’s worn herself out the past few weeks getting the restaurant back into full operation.”

  B.J. dutifully scampered off, leaving them alone. Boone took a few steps toward her. “I want to kiss you,” he murmured with only inches between them. His breath fanned across her cheek.

  “Then do it,” she said, her gaze locked with his. “We have maybe five minutes before B.J.’s back. Grandmother will keep him occupied for at least that long.”

  Boone grinned. “Five minutes, huh? It will have to be some kiss.”

  “I’m sure you’re up to it.”

  “I guess we’ll find out,” he said, pulling her into his arms and sealing his mouth over hers.

  Emily swayed into his embrace, letting everything go except the sensations he stirred in her—the desire, the heat, the familiar scent of citrus and pure male.

  “Much better,” she murmured as the kiss ended. “I was so afraid we weren’t going to sneak in even one kiss on this trip.”

  “It’s going to get better,” Boone promised. “We won’t always have to sneak around.”

  “I hope not, because I’m not sure I can do that,” Emily told him candidly. “It feels too sleazy, as if we’re ashamed or something.”

  Boone touched her cheek. “Maybe you’re just looking at it all wrong. Sneaking around could be kind of exciting. It used to be. Remember when we were afraid of getting caught?”

  “We were teenagers,” she said, though she smiled at the memory. “Adults shouldn’t have to do that, especially not single adults. We shouldn’t need to explain ourselves to anyone.”

  “I’m just trying to be respectful of Jodie’s feelings,” Boone said, “as out of line as they might be. Why stir up trouble if we don’t have to? And there’s B.J. to consider.”

  “I’m not suggesting we start making out in front of him,” Emily said. “I just think we could hang out together.”

  “And that’s what we’re going to do today,” Boone said.

  She heard the frustration in his voice and touched his cheek. “But it’s making you a little crazy, isn’t it? You’re worried he’s going to jump to some sort of conclusion and wind up being hurt or maybe blab about this shopping trip to his grandmother.”

  “Either one is a possibility,” he retorted.

  “Stop anticipating problems. I promise to be on my best behavior. I won’t jump your bones in front of your son.”

  He finally smiled. “And now you’ve gone and planted that idea in my head,” he said. “I’ll be thinking about it all day.”

  “Good,” she said with a wink. “Maybe it’ll motivate you to find some alone time with me before I head back to Los Angeles.”

  He grinned. “Already working on it, so don’t tease unless you mean it.”

  “Oh, I mean it,” she said, her tone heartfelt.

  The outlook for this visit had just gotten a whole lot more interesting.

  * * *

  Boone, like most men he knew, would rather be tortured than spend time in a mall. Somehow, though, Emily’s enthusiasm was contagious. Even B.J. didn’t complain about trying on half a dozen different pairs of jeans and enough shirts and sweaters to outfit his entire class. He did balk when she tried to persuade him to try on dress shoes as well as the expensive sneakers he swore he couldn’t possibly live without.

  “You can’t wear sneakers to church,” she argued.

  “I already have fancy shoes,”
he protested. “They pinch my feet.”

  “Which is exactly why you need new ones,” she said as Boone smothered a smile. She frowned at him. “You could back me up here.”

  “Son, Emily’s right. As long as we’re here, you should get new dress shoes. Your old ones are too small.”

  B.J. scowled at him. “Only if you do, too.”

  Emily’s face lit up. “Oh, what a great idea! Boone, have you ever tried these Italian leather loafers?” She picked up a pair from the display and handed them to him. “Feel how soft they are.”

  “Soft,” he muttered, unimpressed. At those prices they ought to whisk him through the air like a blasted magic carpet.

  “You have to try them,” she insisted, corralling a sales clerk and giving him a list of shoes to bring out for him and for B.J.

  A dozen boxes appeared a few minutes later. Boone regarded them incredulously. “Come on, Em. Really?”

  “You’ll thank me later.” She beamed at the two of them. “Isn’t this fun?”

  Boone exchanged a tortured look with his son, but she was having so much fun, he could hardly bolt from the shoe department and spoil it for her.

  Several hundred dollars later, they left with loafers for him, sneakers and dress shoes for B.J. and a pair of three-inch heels that Emily hadn’t been able to take her eyes off of the entire time they’d been in the shoe department. Boone had insisted she try them on, taken one look at the effect they had on her gorgeous legs and told the clerk to wrap them up.

  “Boone, you don’t have to buy me shoes. I can buy my own.”

  “It’s the least I can do after all the time you’ve spent helping us shop today,” he said, then leaned in to whisper, “Besides, I can’t wait to see you wearing those and nothing else.”

  Her cheeks had flamed at that, but she’d stopped arguing.

  Unfortunately, the comment had also left him wanting a whole lot more than he was likely to get this afternoon. He wondered if they could skip the food court and head back to Sand Castle Bay, but B.J. was already dragging them in that direction, his mind set on pizza, tacos and heaven knew what else.