The Wishing Season (A Chapel Springs Romance Book 3)

by Denise Hunter

  Warmth curled through her at his words. He was right. There was plenty of time for this. They didn’t have to plan everything out. Things would work out as they were supposed to. Please, God.

  She snuggled into his side, and he tightened his arm around her, setting a kiss on top of her head. The swing squeaked rhythmically as he set it in motion.

  She wanted to enjoy him, too, while it lasted.

  She frowned as the last phrase formed in her mind. Then she pushed it away, sinking into the warmth of Cole’s embrace.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  THE LAST WEEKEND OF MARCH MARKED THE TASTE OF Spring Festival and the beginning of tourist season. PJ had a booth, featuring her wild berry cheesecake and blueberry cobbler. She’d closed the restaurant for the weekend, knowing the booth would be more profitable and hoping the treats would tempt people to try out The Grille.

  The weather was cooperating on the festival’s first day, offering clear, sunny skies and temperatures in the sixties. Booths from local eateries lined the river walk, and it teemed with neighbors and tourists alike. A local band played country music on the riverfront stage, and people milled on the lawn, snacking on food and catching up with their neighbors. The smell of grilling hamburgers fragranced the air.

  PJ handed two bowls of steaming cobbler to a customer and rang him up while Shaundra sliced a fresh cheesecake behind her. Callie and Nate were coming to relieve them soon, and Cole was meeting her here at seven, ten minutes away. Tonight was their first date.

  PJ had slipped away half an hour earlier to touch up her hair and makeup and change into fresh clothes. Just thinking about tonight made her stomach do a flip-flop. They’d decided to walk around town, eat festival food, and catch the main band at nine o’clock.

  When the line was finally gone, PJ helped Shaundra with the pies and restocked the forks and plates.

  “This place is hopping,” Shaundra said.

  “I hope we made enough cheesecake. I thought the cobbler would be more popular, with the cooler temperatures.”

  “We may run out of both before it’s over. My feet are killing me.”

  PJ checked her watch. “Callie and Nate will be here soon.”

  Shaundra finished plating the pies and covering them with wrap. “And then it’s date time.” She waggled her brows.

  “How’d you know about that?”

  “I have my ways.” Shaundra unwrapped a package of napkins and stacked them by the plates, a mysterious look on her face. “Okay, fine, Cole told me. He couldn’t decide what to wear. Had all his shirts out last night, scowling at them.”

  He was worried about what to wear? A smile crept over PJ’s face.

  “Yeah, sweet, right? He’s a little rigid with the rules, like curfew and stuff, but he’s a good man. You guys make the cutest couple. Oh, customer.”

  PJ turned with a ready smile and nearly dropped the big cobbler spoon on the trampled grass. Keaton stood on the other side of the table in a button-down and khakis.

  A hopeful smile curved his lips. “Hello, PJ.”

  Her heart thundered. Not like it used to. She didn’t want him here. The flop of hair over his forehead didn’t seem boyish anymore. It barely moved in the breeze, like it had been sprayed in place.

  His smile faltered.

  “Hi. You want some cobbler? It’s blueberry, served warm with a crunchy oat and pecan crumble topping. Or there’s cheesecake, freshly made with a thick graham cracker crust and topped with blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.”

  His forehead furrowed.

  “Or not.” She clamped her lips shut.

  “I didn’t come for dessert. We need to talk.”

  “How’d you find me?”

  He shrugged. “Small town. Everyone’s proud of their local chef.” His lips curled up. “So am I.”

  She felt Shaundra’s appraisal and checked her watch. Cole would be here in six minutes. “This isn’t a good time.”

  His mouth tightened. “There doesn’t seem to be a good time, PJ. I just need ten minutes. After all we meant to each other, it’s the least you could do.”

  After all your lies, I owe you nothing. She pursed her lips to hold back the words. Upsetting him would serve no purpose.

  “Five minutes.” Maybe she could have him on his way before Cole arrived. She pulled off her plastic gloves and edged out of the booth. “I’ll be right back, Shaundra.”

  “I got it covered.”

  Feeling Shaundra’s eyes, PJ led him behind the booth to a vacant area near a dogwood tree, avoiding an empty bench just yards away. No reason for him to get comfortable. She turned, crossing her arms.

  He stopped and tucked his hands into his pockets. “You changed your phone number.”

  “You wouldn’t leave me alone.”

  “Why do you think that is, PJ?”

  She looked into the deep blue eyes she used to think were striking. Now they just seemed cool and calculating.

  “You should be trying to save your marriage, Keaton. You have a little boy who needs you and a wife who—”

  “I don’t love her. You don’t know how it is. We haven’t had a real marriage in years. She doesn’t talk to me like you or look at me the way you do. Our marriage was over a long time ago.”

  “A marriage is over when divorce papers are signed, and I hope you won’t let that happen. I don’t belong in the middle of this, Keaton.”

  He set his hand on her arm. “You belong wherever I am.”

  She stepped back, letting his hand fall, bumping the trunk of the tree. “That’s not true. It’s over, Keaton. You need to move on and leave me alone. I’m trying to get on with my life, and I don’t want you sending me letters and flowers and showing up at—”

  He took both her arms. “You don’t mean that. Don’t you remember how things were between us? I love you, PJ. I can’t stand being apart from you anymore.”

  She closed her eyes. “Stop, Keaton.”

  “Why, because you still feel the same way?”

  Nice wasn’t working. She drilled him with a look and spoke firmly. “What we had is over. You need to go home and leave me alone. Please. I don’t want you here.” She turned to go.

  He grabbed her arm. “She doesn’t even love me. She just wants the lifestyle I provide.”

  “That isn’t my concern.” She tried to pull away, but his grip tightened like manacles.

  Suddenly he was wrenched backward. He didn’t let go, and PJ stumbled forward.

  Cole’s nostrils flared. “Get your hands off her.”

  “You again. This is none of your business, pal.”

  “She’s my business, and I’m not asking again.”

  Keaton’s eyes swung to PJ. “Is this your new boyfriend? You’ve already found a replacement, is that what this is about?” His hand tightened painfully on her arm. “Is it?”

  Cole grabbed Keaton and swung, planting his fist in Keaton’s face. PJ stumbled backward into the tree.

  Keaton caught his balance. His face darkened. A trickle of blood ran from his nose, and he wiped it with the back of his hand.

  The crowd around them stilled, watching.

  “I’m just talking to her. This has nothing to do with you.” Keaton walked toward her.

  Cole stepped between them. “She doesn’t want to talk to you.”

  “Get out of my way.” Keaton tried to edge around him.

  Cole shoved him hard. Keaton staggered backward, colliding with a trash barrel, and Cole surged forward.

  PJ grabbed his arm. “Cole, no. That’s enough.”

  He stopped. His jaw flexed, and he glared at Keaton. “Stay away from her.”

  An ugly look came over Keaton’s face as he pulled to his feet. He pointed at Cole. “I’m pressing charges, pal. You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”

  Cole’s arm flexed under PJ’s hands.

  Sheriff Simmons approached from between the booths. “All right, that’s enough.”

  Keaton walked
toward PJ again, and Cole tore his arm loose from PJ’s grasp and shoved him back.

  “That’s enough, I said.”

  Cole got in the passenger side of PJ’s car. After being hauled away in front of half the town yesterday, he’d had the pleasure of a full night in jail while he waited for the bank to open.

  He’d been searched, charged, printed, and locked in a cell. He needed a shower and a shave, but what he really wanted was his dignity back.

  He could feel PJ’s eyes on him as she started the car, but he couldn’t bring himself to meet her gaze.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “I’m so sorry this happened.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry about.”

  She pulled from the lot and turned onto the street. “I hated leaving you there all night. The kids were worried about you.”

  “I’ve slept in worse places.”

  “Zac remembered to take the garbage out last night, and they were all up and out the door on time this morning.”

  “Good.”

  The streets were already crowded for day two of the festival. They stopped in front of a busy crosswalk. It was hard to believe people were still eating funnel cakes and taking river-boat rides.

  His disorderly conduct charges had probably made today’s Gazette. The other half of the town would soon know about his arrest. Worse yet, Mrs. Simmons would find out, since her nephew was the one cuffing him. No one would think him fit to run a home for young adults after this.

  “Are you mad at me?” PJ asked in a tiny voice.

  At the sight of her watery brown eyes, his heart softened. “Why would I be mad at you, Sunshine? You didn’t do a thing.”

  “But Keaton—”

  “Is responsible for his own actions. Just like I’m responsible for mine.”

  And that’s why his bank account was completely wiped out for bail money. Why he’d plead guilty in front of a judge in a few weeks. He could only hope he’d escape with a fine.

  “I’m going to talk to Keaton about dropping charges.”

  His eyes snapped to hers. “No, you’re not.”

  “You were only defending me, and now you’re in trouble. It’s not fair.”

  It sure hadn’t felt fair when he was being stuffed into the back of the sheriff’s cruiser while a smirking Keaton looked on.

  “Did he bother you any more last night? Is he gone?” That was all he’d thought about while tossing on the cot all night.

  “He’s at a hotel in Scottsburg. After I take you home, I’m going to talk to him. I think I can get him to drop—”

  “No, PJ. I don’t want you near him. And definitely not alone with him in some hotel room.”

  “Well, I don’t want you having a record and doing jail time or paying a fine for defending me.”

  “You’re not going there alone. I’d be happy to come along, but I’m pretty sure I’d end up right back in jail.”

  She turned onto their road and traffic thinned out, allowing a quicker pace. “You don’t know Keaton. His dad is a lawyer. He has contacts. You don’t need a stiff fine or a criminal record. I’ll just call him.”

  The thought of PJ even talking to the jerk again made his stomach tighten. He didn’t like the way the guy had grabbed PJ, didn’t like the possessive way he’d stared her down or the creepy way he’d stalked toward her.

  PJ pulled to the curb in front of the house and shut off the engine. When she reached for the handle, he took her wrist gently.

  His eyes climbed her arm to the finger-sized bruises, and his jaw knotted. He wished he’d put his full weight behind the first punch. What else was the guy capable of?

  “You need to get a restraining order.”

  Something passed over her face, and then it was gone. “I think he might leave me alone now. I was pretty blunt with him last night after you left.”

  And Cole remembered how blunt Keaton had been with PJ. “Don’t call him, don’t go see him.” He brushed his thumb across her pulse, glorying in the shiver that passed over her. “Promise me.”

  Her eyes held his, the wavering clear on her features. Finally she exhaled, her lips turning up at the corners. “All right.”

  His breath whooshed quietly from his body.

  “Thank you for coming to my rescue,” she said.

  “My pleasure.”

  “I’m sorry about our date.”

  He tipped a smile. “There’ll be plenty of others.”

  “Promise?”

  More than anything he wanted to put the past fourteen hours from his mind. Wanted to focus on his kids and PJ. Especially PJ.

  He kissed the inside of her wrist and threaded his fingers through hers. “Promise.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  THE WEEK RUSHED PAST IN A FLURRY OF MEALS AND CLASSES. Keaton hadn’t tried to contact her again, and PJ thought he’d finally gotten the message.

  She and Cole found quiet moments on the porch or in the living room upstairs. Sometimes they played Ping-Pong with the kids, and one night they played basketball with Josh and Shaundra. PJ lived for their quiet talks and lingering kisses. It grew harder each evening to say good night.

  They finally had their first date a week later. She wore the red dress Jade had bought her for Valentine’s Day with the heeled black boots. When Cole’s eyes swept over her, they flared appreciatively.

  “I like you in a dress. I didn’t say so last time since you were obviously headed out on a date, but your legs were made to be shown. And those boots . . .”

  PJ’s skin heated under his appraisal. “It wasn’t a date. I went out with my sisters.”

  Cole gave a mirthless smile. “I fretted all night for nothing?”

  “Pretty much.”

  He took her hands, pulling her close, and put them behind her back the way he liked to do.

  “Well, you’re all mine tonight,” he whispered into her ear. “And I’m going to enjoy every minute.”

  He took her to an outdoor concert at Waterfront Park in Louisville. They had a picnic on the lawn and danced to slow country ballads. PJ wanted the night to go on forever. The look in his eyes as they moved, swaying to the music, mesmerized her. The tender way he held her made her feel cherished and protected.

  She told him stories from her childhood and, when she managed to shut her mouth for ten seconds straight, Cole opened up about his foster family. He told her about Greg and Becky and Lizzy, who’d be joining their household in two weeks.

  His love for Lizzy, for Josh and Zac and Shaundra, shone through in the warmth of his voice when he talked about them. Cole might be quiet, sometimes guarded, but when he opened his heart to someone, he threw it wide open and loved generously.

  He held PJ’s hand on the ride home, and by the time he walked her to her bedroom door, it was well after midnight. The house was quiet, the kids were above in bed, and only the light from the foyer spilled into the short hallway.

  She leaned against her closed door. His eyes scrolled over her face, and her heart did a slow roll. His lips had grazed her cheek as they’d danced. They’d skimmed her temple and glided along her neck, but he hadn’t kissed her all night, and she thought she might crawl right out of her skin if he didn’t do so and fast.

  “Thank you for tonight,” she said. “I had a great time. I hope I didn’t talk too much. I talk when I’m nervous.”

  “I hadn’t noticed.”

  She gave him a look.

  He set his hands at her waist. “Why were you nervous?”

  She slid hers up his thick biceps, stopping at the collar of his button-up. “It was our first date.” She bit the inside of her lip. “And I kind of like you.” More than like, truth be told. No need to scare him off, though. She’d probably already said too much.

  His eyes warmed. “I like you too. A lot.” He leaned forward, ever so slowly, and dropped a lingering kiss to her mouth.

  A curl of warmth unfurled inside as he came back for seconds. They
’d been dancing around this moment all night, but it had been worth the wait. If only she could suspend time, live here in the moment for an eternity or two. Forget the time that ticked away too quickly toward the June 1 deadline.

  His hand found the small of her back as his body pressed hers.

  His shoulders were solid and muscled under her palms. The hair at his nape was feather soft on her fingers. His lips were firm and pliant against hers. Heat pooled in her stomach. She didn’t want the kiss to end. That would mean their date was over and the night had ended.

  A moment later he drew away, his eyes at half-mast. “Good night.”

  “Night.”

  “I’ll meet you in the backyard at nine?” They’d agreed to clean out the flower beds in the morning.

  “I’ll be there.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Sleep well.”

  She was still trembling from the kiss after he disappeared from view. Sleep was a long way off.

  By noon they’d raked away winter’s dead leaves and weeded the beds. Red and orange tulips sprouted proudly in clusters, their heavy heads bowed. Daffodils proliferated throughout the landscaping, adding splashes of sunshine yellow.

  The sun climbed over the rooftop, hitting their backs with an intensity uncommon so early in spring. PJ had long ago pulled her hair into a ponytail and removed the hoodie that covered her Girl Chefs Rule T-shirt.

  Despite the hard work, she’d enjoyed her morning with Cole. He didn’t seem to mind her chatter as they worked. He often tugged her ponytail or brushed a streak of dirt from her cheek as he passed. She liked that he was always touching her. It made her feel connected. She didn’t even mind when he teased her about her singing or went over an area she’d already done.

  She finished trimming the hedges while he went to pick up mulch. The landscaping was sorely in need of a fresh covering, and Seth was letting them have it at cost.

  She finished the hedges, made a couple club sandwiches, and set one of the patio tables. She’d just sunk onto the front porch step with a glass of iced tea when Cole pulled up to the curb with a bed full of rich brown mulch.