Sarah and Sophie laughed. There was no beating around the bush with Terry. If she had a thought, it came out with no censorship or sugar coating. At first it had taken Sarah aback, but now she found it refreshing.
Terry gave them a wave; the repurposed bracelet made of vintage brooches and watches she had bought from Sarah clanked against her other bangles.
Sarah loved seeing her pieces out in the world, especially worn by people whose opinions she valued.
“So what’s new?” Sophie asked as she laced her fingers together and rested her hands on the table.
Sarah went to answer when her eyes were drawn to the sexy-as-sin man who’d just walked through the door. Surrounded by apple décor, he stood out like the perfect male specimen that he was, that carefree air radiating from him in delicious waves.
“What are you looking at?” Sophie asked, turning in her seat before Sarah could stop her. Sarah could feel the heat filling her cheeks as Sophie turned back to her.
“Cooper Hayes?” Sophie said with a lifted eyebrow. “Care to explain?”
“No,” Sarah said just as Cooper’s blue eyes spotted her from across the room. She knew she should look away, but their eyes were like two magnets, and no matter how hard she tried to resist the pull she couldn’t.
His lip curved up at the corner that was part cocky and part charming—a combination that was downright lethal. She swallowed down the strange desire that suddenly consumed her and found the strength to look away.
“Ladies,” he said, his voice smooth as silk as he stepped up to their table.
“Cooper,” Sophie said. “It’s been a long time.”
“It has. Tell me, how do you two know each other?”
“I’m her son’s teacher.”
Sarah’s eyes darted to Cooper. That day at the bakery she managed not to mention her son once. Now it was out there in the open, and she knew with this knowledge he’d never look at her again. Being a mother was a responsibility, and rumor had it, Cooper Hayes ran from responsibilities.
“I’m not interrupting a meeting or anything, am I?” Cooper asked, and Sarah was surprised he didn’t look like he was searching for an excuse to bolt.
“Not at all. How have you been?”
“Couldn’t be better. Surprised I haven’t seen you around. I’ve been home for nine months now.” He spoke to Sophie, but his eyes kept lingering on Sarah. She could feel the heat of his gaze penetrating her skin.
“Decided to give up the gypsy lifestyle?”
“It’s only temporary,” he said, and for some reason that response hit Sarah low in the gut, spreading disappointment through her. “I was hoping to take Sarah here out to dinner while I’m home, but she told me she doesn’t have time for fun. Yet here she is, out, having dinner.”
“I have to eat,” she said, hoping with all that she had that Terry would pop out of the back and grab Cooper’s ear.
Sophie’s eyes stayed on her, filled with curiosity and unspoken words that said don’t think we’re not talking about this later.
“I guess it’s not about not having time and more about not having time for me,” Cooper said.
“Something like that.”
Cooper grabbed a chair from the empty table behind him, spun it around so the back was facing forward and straddled it.
“Did we say you could join us?” Sarah asked.
“If I would have asked you would have said no.”
“Ding, we have a winner.”
Cooper turned his attention to Sophie. “Is she always like this?”
Sarah gave her a look across the table.
“Like what?” Sophie asked.
“A little rude. Kind of uptight.”
“I beg your pardon?” Sarah exclaimed, wanting to smack the smug look off his pretty face.
“I’ve actually never seen her like this, so that begs the question… What did you do to her?”
Cooper’s hands shot up. “Whoa. Don’t go gathering the town folk on me now. I didn’t do anything other than try to have a conversation with her. Apparently like fun it’s not something she’s too fond of.”
“I am sitting right here,” Sarah said.
Terry walked over with their drinks, and Sarah wished she ordered something stronger than lemon water. Sophie’s wine was looking damn good, and if she didn’t have to drive her son home in an hour, she would have grabbed it before Sophie had a chance.
“Cooper my boy!” Terry said with clear admiration as Cooper stood up and gave Terry a hug, lifting her off the ground and causing her to squeal. Terry swatted his chest as he put her down. “You’re so bad.”
The jerk actually had the nerve to wink at Sarah. She rolled her eyes, but only to hide the sudden flush of heat that rushed through her body.
Get it together, Sarah. It was a wink. I bet he winks at hundreds of girls every day.
After the disaster that was Tommy’s father, she thought she was immune to men, especially ones with too much confidence and a charming smile, but Cooper was cracking her exterior and getting under her skin in a way no man had ever been able to before.
“You here to pick up your parent’s order?” Terry asked him.
“I am.”
“Let me go grab that for you. Walt was just packing it up.” Terry walked away, and Cooper rested his hand on the back of the chair, spinning it around and putting it back where he took it from.
“While it’s been a pleasure, ladies, I do have to get going.”
“Shame,” Sarah said, but had no idea why she did. There was just something about him that made the polite, friendly girl disappear. Maybe it was because he was a temptation, and it was easier to keep him at arms-length, and the only way to do that was to make herself unappealing.
But when he looked at her with those bright baby blue eyes, a smile tugging generously at the edge of his mouth, she had a feeling her plan wasn’t working at all. If anything, it was doing the exact opposite.
Cooper turned his amused gaze onto her. “I know how much you’re enjoying my company so I’m sorry to cut it short, but the invitation still stands.”
She swallowed down the rising desire that was screaming for her to stop doing everything she was supposed to and start doing what she wanted and looked him straight in the eyes. “Don’t hold your breath.”
He smirked, those luscious lips parting. “For you, baby, I will.”
His statement knocked the wind right out of her. Before she could say a single word, he walked away, grabbing his to-go order from Terry and heading out into the night.
She sat there, momentarily paralyzed by his lingering presence, those words, echoing in her mind.
“Talk,” Sophie said, her voice penetrating the fog Cooper left her in.
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
A loud laugh burst from Sophie, and she smacked a hand over her mouth. “Liar.”
“I went to the bakery on Monday, like I always do, and he was working behind the counter. He was smug and arrogant and flirtatious.”
“And he got to you.”
“No.”
“Then why are your cheeks so red?”
“It’s hot in here.”
“Try again.”
“Fine. He got to me. I mean, have you seen the guy? It should be illegal to be that attractive.”
“I’ve known him my whole life, so I’m kind of immune to it, I guess.”
“Then you know he is the last thing I need in my life.”
Sophie took a sip of wine, but Sarah could see the thoughts on her face that she was keeping to herself.
“What?” Sarah asked.
She put her glass down, laced her fingers together and rested her hands on the table like earlier. “Cooper Hayes is a player. He’s not known for being with a girl for longer than a week. But. He has a reputation of being a god in bed.”
“Good to know,” Sarah said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “And that’s exactly why I need to stay away from him.”
“See, that’s where I disagree.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Sarah,” Sophie said, reaching across the table and resting her hand on hers. “Everything you do is for Tommy. The only reason we have dinner every Wednesday night is because Tommy is at karate.”
“He’s my number one priority.”
“I know that, and you’re a great mother because of that, but don’t you think it’s time to give yourself a little break? Tommy’s a good kid, and you having a social life isn’t going to change that. I’m sorry, but I agree with Cooper. You deserve a little fun.”
“And what? You think Cooper Hayes is the answer?”
Sophie picked up her wine and took a small sip, her eyebrows raised over the glass as she gave a subtle nod.
“You said yourself he’s a player. He doesn’t do relationships.”
“Which is exactly why he’s perfect. You need to dip your toes in the pool before you jump in. Why not do it with a man who is clearly taken by you? Not to mention has abs you could break wood on.”
“How do you know what his abs are like?”
“People talk. Let’s just say that boy isn’t lacking in any area.”
Sarah wasn’t surprised. He looked like he stepped out of a special edition of small-town GQ. He had everything going for him—charm, good looks, sense of humor, and for whatever reason, she was the current obstacle in his game.
Maybe Sophie was right. Maybe it was time she let herself have a little fun.
“I don’t want to make you feel like you have to do anything you don’t want to,” Sophie said. “But if you want fun, Cooper is your man. Just don’t let yourself fall in love with him because there is no good that can come from that.”
“I wouldn’t.”
“Good.” Sophie held up her glass. “So what do you say? You going to dip your toes?”
Sarah clinked her glass against Sophie’s. “Why the hell not?”
Chapter 3
Cooper sat back in the rocking chair on the small front porch of his tiny home, looking out across his parents’ farm. The sun had finally melted the last of the winter snow, and pretty soon the hot days of summer would be upon them, which meant he would have been home for almost an entire year.
It’s the longest he’d been back home since he was eighteen, and while he loved cross country skiing and snowmobiling, they had lost their appeal after the first month. At least now he could change it up with mountain biking or kayaking. Maybe even a little rock climbing and scuba diving in the lake, but he knew he’d get bored with that, too. It was all stuff he’d done and seen before. He needed something else, something that would keep his wandering mind occupied.
He closed his eyes, letting the midday sun shine down on his face, and cleared his mind. When he was able to stop and appreciate the simplicity of life, he rather enjoyed himself. But it never lasted long. It was only a few minutes before the gears in his head would start churning and convincing him that he was wasting his time sitting around.
“You alive over there?” His dad’s voice floated across the field.
“I might be dying of boredom, but it hasn’t claimed me just yet.”
Jonathon Hayes laughed. He was in his usual khaki shorts with work boots and white socks poking out the top. He wore a green t-shirt that had the name of the family farm written across his pecs. For a man in his sixties, he was in damn good shape due to all the heavy lifting that came with farm life. The summer still hadn’t arrived, but Jonathon Hayes was already sporting a tan. His dirty blond hair filled more and more with gray.
It was a hard pill to swallow—accepting that you and the ones you loved were aging. Cooper had always lived his life in the now, never thinking about the future, always assuming that when he came home everything would be exactly the same. He was beginning to realize it wasn’t.
During his last trip, his oldest brother reconnected with the girl he never got over and got engaged to get married—something Cooper thought would never happen. When he got the news, he knew he had to make it to the wedding.
It was only supposed to be a quick trip, but once he got home, surrounded by the people he loved, celebrating new beginnings, something held him back. And when his brother, Mason, asked if he would help get his brewery up and running, he couldn’t say no. He had said no so many times over the years, missed out on so much, and even though the desire to leave was always on the edge of his mind, he ignored it so he could help.
Now, with the brewery up and running, his tiny home built, book written, it was only a matter of time before he left this all behind.
“What’s up?” he asked as his dad sat down on the steps that led to his red door.
“I have a proposition for you.”
Cooper pushed his aviators up on his head and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I’m listening.”
“You remember Bob Clemons from Big Bob’s Adventures?”
“Of course. You sent me to summer camp there as a kid. Freaking loved it.”
“Good, you do remember then. I was worried with all your travels you wouldn’t remember that summer.”
“That was the summer that kick-started everything.” Cooper remembered going on walks through the woods, identifying different animal tracks, learning how to canoe and kayak without his older brothers trying to tip him over. He explored the local caves and fished in the local lakes. After that summer, he knew being stuck inside wasn’t for him. He needed to be out in the world, seeing everything that there was. Big Bob made a massive impact on him and who Cooper was today.
He had always meant to stop over there just to talk to the man who had to be in his sixties now, but Cooper never had the time.
“So what’s the proposition?” he asked.
“Bob’s sister is sick. He’s all she has so he needs to head out to California to help take care of her. With him gone, he’s short-staffed. He needs someone to fill in for him. Take over one his groups.”
“What the hell. I’ll do it.”
“Really?”
“If I can help give some kid amazing memories like I have, then it’s a no-brainer.”
“I’ll let Bob know. Give him your cell number so he can call you directly and work out all the details.”
“Sounds good.”
“I’d join you for a while, but I have to go help your grandmother hang a curtain.”
“At least she’s not trying to stand on something to do it herself.”
“I think she’s finally accepted there are some things she just can’t do anymore.”
“Now if only Grandpa would hurry up. We could all sleep a little easier.”
“You’re telling me. I’ll see you later.” Jonathon Hayes gave a wave as he headed down the dirt path that led to the main house.
Cooper was about to head inside when his cell rang. He slipped it out and didn’t recognize the number but answered anyway.
“Hey, this is Cooper.”
There was silence on the other end, and he was about to hang up when he heard her voice.
“Hi Cooper, it’s Sarah.”
He sat up straighter, a smile forming on his face. His boring night just got better.
***
Cooper had no intention of going over to Sarah and Sophie’s table the other night. Sarah had a kid, and it had raised a red flag when Shay told him, but the minute his eyes settled on hers, he couldn’t resist.
She was infuriating in the way she was immune to his charm. How she could turn him down without as much as blinking an eyelash. But the longer he sat there, their bodies mere inches away from each other, he could see the perfectly crafted wall of hers breaking down with each heavy inhale and the beautiful blush that filled her warm golden cheeks.
At first, he thought maybe he imagined it; a girl like her wouldn’t have any cracks in her exterior, but then he got the phone call accepting his dinner invitation.
For the second time, she’d rendered him speechless, and
that was not an easy feat. He offered to pick her up, but she preferred to meet at his place.
He texted her directions and sat on his front porch, waiting for her. She told him seven and at a minute to, she pulled down the back road that led to his place. She parked and got out of the car, her long black hair hanging in long loose waves over a black top that cut into a low V and showed off an amazing set of tits.
All the blood rushed from his head to his groin as she stepped around the door, revealing long bronzed legs. Her top was actually a dress that hugged her body like a custom-made glove.
“This is where you live? It’s so tiny.”
“I don’t need much,” he said, walking down the porch steps and greeting her with a kiss on the cheek. At first, he thought it might be too forward, but she actually moved into it, surrounding him in a spicy scent that made him sweat.
“I’ve seen these on TV, but I’ve never seen one in real life. I’m always amazed at the unique storage ideas.”
“You want to come in and look?”
She went to move then stopped. “This isn’t some ploy to try and make a move on me, is it?”
“Even if it was, you just ruined it. But it’s not. Promise.”
“The jury’s still out on if I can trust you, so your promise is kind of a moot point, but I’m curious enough to let it slide.”
“As long as you’re curious enough,” he said with a laugh as he pressed a hand to her lower back and led her to the front door. They walked up the two steps to the small porch.
She pointed to the rocking chair. “Do you sit there a lot?”
“I do. I like being outside. Having a porch, as small as it may be, was a necessity for me.”
“Sounds about right.”
He opened the door then turned around until her dark eyes were staring into his. There wasn’t much room, forcing them to stand close. He could feel her breath on his face, smell the mint from her toothpaste mixing with her spicy scent. “What is that supposed to mean?” he asked.
She visibly swallowed. “You don’t seem like the type who likes to be stuck inside for too long.”
He reached up, needing to feel her against his skin. Unable to resist any longer, he tucked her hair behind her ear, his finger grazing the curve of her lobe, causing her to shiver.
Catching Cooper (Red Maple Falls, #4) Page 3
