Don't Break (The Reluctant Heart Book 1)

by Jeannette Winters

  “Right now you have the shop that sells your product. Home Blown. And you hate the sales piece, correct?” he asked.

  “Yes. Changing the name won’t eliminate that issue,” she stated.

  “I’m not thinking of changing the name as much as opening another business. Just Blown.”

  “Kenneth, if I don’t want to run one, what on earth makes you think I want to expand into two?”

  “Because Home Blown will sell what Just Blown creates. And Just Blown can offer classes to teach others your trade,” he said.

  She stared at him and then said, “This isn’t like summer camp or anything. Who would want to come to Hope Valley and learn how to blow glass?”

  “If you market it properly, you’d be surprised how many. We would need to work with local restaurants and local inns who would want to link together for a package deal. Maybe I’ll have you talk to the locals, so I don’t scare them off,” he said.

  Shanda said, “You do know what you’re talking about is a huge commitment. It’s not going to happen in a week or a month.”

  “Nope. It will be a process but together I believe we can make this work. And Just Blown will feed business to Home Blown. Both will prosper if we plan it correctly.”

  “Kenneth, I’m not sure about this,” she said.

  “Don’t like the idea?” he asked.

  “You keep saying we. You have your own business to run, as you often remind me. You can’t take on something like this. And what if we start this and then you…change your mind and…don’t want to come to Hope Valley any longer? What happens then? I can’t do this on my own and you know that.”

  He pulled her into his arms and said, “Shanda, I meant it. I’m not going anywhere. I knew damn well what I was saying when I said we. It’s not a ring like DeeDee wanted, but a partnership might not be a bad place for us to start. What do you think? Want to hire me as your manager?”

  “There is no way you’re going to work direct sales in that shop,” she stated firmly.

  “You’re right. A manager doesn’t have to. I just need to hire the people who will. That frees you up for Just Blown and me to run my own investments.”

  “And what do you get out of all this?” she asked.

  “I have everything I want right here,” he said, lifting a hand and stroking her cheek. I’m just investing in our future.

  Shanda nodded. “Okay. I guess, Just Blown it is,” she said.

  He kissed her and said, “You know, if we skip the Corn Flakes, we have enough time to shower together.”

  Shanda smiled up at him. “There was a spot that I couldn’t reach. Maybe you can,” she said rubbing her body up against his.

  Kenneth lifted her off the deck and said, “I’ll make sure I cover every inch of you to make sure I get it.”

  “Oh, you know the spot. You haven’t missed it yet,” she said and snuggled up against him.

  And I love how you purr when I touch it.

  There was no doubt in his mind that Home Blown was opening up late today.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Shanda opened the refrigerator door for the millionth time. There was no question that they had enough food and drinks, but checking gave her something to do besides pace.

  “I’m just taking a guess, but I think the drinks will stay colder if you keep the door shut,” Kenneth teased.

  She shot him a warning look over her shoulder, but then reached in to check that they were chilled. Turning around she said, “They are perfect.”

  “So is everything else. I have no idea why you’re so jittery. It’s a small gathering of friends.”

  “At my house. Krissy and Billy have an amazing home and mine is…”

  “Shanda, for someone who doesn’t care about money and prestige, why let it rattle you now?” he asked. She shrugged and he added, “I can guarantee you that everyone will have a great time, but only if you relax.”

  He was right. They were just four couples getting together to play games and drink wine. What could go wrong? With DeeDee coming, who knows? Shanda had a very long talk with DeeDee after the little game she’d played with Kenneth’s parents. She assured her that it would never happen again. Any other time, Shanda would believe her. Not so much tonight.

  “And you’re sure you’re ready for whatever these ladies decided they’re going to say?” Shanda asked.

  Kenneth nodded. “They are harmless.”

  Shanda chuckled. “Billy doesn’t think so. He said he’s never had so many household chores to do since you and I met. I can only imagine what Krissy and DeeDee will come up with.”

  “Hopefully nothing, but are you interested in making a side bet with me?” he asked.

  “You’re going to start this now?” she asked. He smiled and she said, “I’m in. Besides, I have a feeling there will be a load of dishes that needs washing after tonight.”

  “And I won’t be doing them,” he said.

  “We haven’t even decided what we’re betting on,” she corrected. “And you can’t claim victory yet. I am very competitive.”

  “I highly doubt that. But let’s see. I bet you can’t go the entire night without kissing me,” he said.

  “That’s dumb.”

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Because I already know you’ll kiss me first,” she declared.

  Raising a brow he said, “Really? That confident, are you?”

  Shanda stepped so close that her breasts were only an inch from his chest. Looking up into his eyes, she very slowly opened her mouth, traced her top lip with her tongue and moaned.

  “Fuck! You’re right,” he said.

  Before he could claim her lips she stepped back and said, “Maybe I should’ve taken that bet. An easy win for me.”

  Kenneth reached out and pulled her into his arms and said in a husky tone, “I might have done the dishes, but kissing you is a win.” He claimed her lips and she felt the hunger in him. The passion that flowed between them was undeniable, and at times, uncontrollable as well.

  The knocking on the door came just in time. A few minutes later and game night might have changed to include just the two of them. But if it was her sister, Shanda knew DeeDee wouldn’t stay on the other side of the door very long. And Kenneth will remind me why we should lock the front door.

  As he released her, she said, “Why don’t you get it? I want to—”

  “Don’t say check the fridge again,” he teased.

  “And if I did?” she asked. She really couldn’t believe she was going to do it, too. How was it that after just a matter of weeks, they seemed to read each other’s mind?

  “I was going to change my bet,” he said as he left to answer the door.

  When he returned, she was glad to see everyone arrived at the same time. Made it easy for introductions.

  “Glad you guys could make it. This is—”

  DeeDee cut in. “Don’t worry, sis. Krissy and I were already chatting outside.”

  Probably more like plotting, but okay.

  “And what did you decide?” she asked.

  “That the games are girls against guys,” Krissy said.

  Shanda chuckled. “We’re about to kick butt. They don’t even have a chance.”

  “Excuse me, we are right here,” Billy said.

  “Give up, Billy. I have a feeling these ladies aren’t joking,” Larry said. “At least I know two of them aren’t.”

  Krissy said, “Billy will attest to the fact that I don’t like to lose. Of course, I haven’t in a long time.” She gave him a wink and Billy sighed.

  “Can’t we just drink beer and sit by a fire?” Billy asked.

  “I have no idea why you guys are throwing in the towel. You have me as a partner,” Kenneth said.

  Billy and Larry looked at each other and then burst out laughing. “He’ll learn,” Billy said to Larry.

  Kenneth whispered to Shanda, “I think you were right.”

  “Actually I was wrong. Tonight is going to
be a blast,” she smiled. It was a good mix of people. “Why don’t we all grab some drinks and head out on the back porch? We have plenty of food, and games just waiting to be won.”

  The guys grabbed several beers and the ladies took some wine coolers and followed them out. “Wow, it is amazing here,” Krissy said. You can’t see any neighbors. If I lived here I’d have a pool and I’d be skinny dipping every night.”

  Billy laughed. “We’re moving to the country.”

  DeeDee chimed in. “You’d love it. No noise at night. Well, at least the ones that we hear, we’re making,” she winked playfully at Larry.

  He didn’t fall for it. “And what about our roosters who don’t care what day of the week it is?” Larry stated. “Why did I agree to having chickens?”

  DeeDee leaned over and kissed him. “Because you love me.”

  Larry put an arm around her and said, “I do. But it’s okay to love to sleep late too.”

  “They don’t wake me up. Then again, I don’t think they are disturbing you too much. I think the rooster was complaining about your snoring,” she teased.

  “It’s from allergies,” Larry defended. “To chickens, I think.” As they sat back on the two-person glider, he asked, “Hey is this new?” Shanda nodded. “What happened to the old one? I liked the way it rocked.”

  Kenneth grinned and Shanda blushed. So did we. “It was…worn out.” Although Kenneth had suggested they test the stability of the new glider, they hadn’t…christened it just yet. Maybe after everyone leaves. Kenneth must’ve read her mind because he smiled and nodded. That was motivation to get the party going.

  “What game did you want to play first?” she asked.

  “No games that we have to get into the minds of women. It’s a…scary place sometimes,” Billy joked.

  “Why don’t we let the men choose so we don’t have to listen to them whine later that we cheated,” DeeDee suggested.

  “You do cheat,” Larry pointed out. “No way in hell will I ever believe that Ace accidently slipped out of the deck of cards and onto your lap.”

  DeeDee held her head up high and said, “It didn’t fall from the deck. It slipped out of my bra.”

  “Ha. I knew it,” Larry said. Then he looked at the others. “She cheated at strip poker.”

  Kenneth chuckled. “I’m not sure there is a loser in that game.”

  Shanda giggled, “Great game, but I don’t think it’s one for us tonight. At least not till later,” she said and leaned into Kenneth.

  Billy chuckled. “You guys don’t need cards. Just a bumble bee.”

  Shanda turned beet red and looked at Kenneth. “You told him?”

  “No. But it may have been caught on security cameras.” Kenneth shot a warning look at Billy. “That was supposed to be deleted.”

  “I did. But I had to scan through to make sure I deleted it all,” he said. “Trust me. I didn’t see very much.”

  Shanda crossed her arms and said, “Am I to believe that?”

  Kenneth said, “Billy’s a ball buster, but I believe him.”

  “You should,” Krissy said. “Because he told me what you asked and he had me do it, just in case.” Shanda sighed with relief. “However, I watched the entire thing and it was hilarious. I mean, only because you didn’t get stung. Then I would’ve felt horrible.”

  DeeDee said, “Why do I feel like I’m missing out on a great story?”

  Krissy said, “Because you are. At first I thought Shanda might have been just joking about her allergic reaction to bee stings to get Kenneth’s attention. But since she left without him, I realized how serious it could’ve been. I called Kenneth to check on you and he confirmed you were okay.”

  Shanda chuckled. “I seem to leave an impression wherever I go.”

  Kenneth kissed the top of her head. “Yes you do. Even the bees know how sweet you are.”

  “Awe, how romantic,” DeeDee said.

  Shanda smiled up at Kenneth and said, “Yes it is, but don’t think that means I’m going to let you win.”

  He shrugged. “Sorry guys, I tried.”

  The ladies snickered.

  She’d lived in this house for years, and this was the first time it felt like home. It wasn’t just having Kenneth here, but having their friends as well. She’d had people stop in for a visit, or over for dinner, but this seemed so different. Maybe it was because she wasn’t hosting this alone. They were a good fit in each other’s lives. And now, so were their friends.

  Win or lose, tonight is going to be a great night.

  Kenneth couldn’t sleep. Last night was great. He’d had so much fun. Even Billy and Krissy couldn’t stop talking about it. So why was his mind running a million miles an hour? He should be happy. God knows Shanda was. She smiled and laughed even in her sleep beside him.

  He slipped out from beneath the covers and headed downstairs. He had already told her ahead of time that he needed to leave early. There were things he had to take care of in Boston and she understood that. Kenneth was becoming very comfortable staying with her in Hope Valley, but he needed to find a way to merge both lives.

  Shanda wasn’t going to relocate to Boston. He wouldn’t waste his breath even asking. Last night was proof that this is where she belonged. Now he needed to make some hard decisions himself.

  Kenneth didn’t bother making any coffee, because Shanda would probably sleep another few hours. He felt badly for not kissing her and saying goodbye, but he’d call her later. Since he was awake, he might as well put the time to use. And at this time of morning, he didn’t need to worry about any traffic jams.

  He made it to his penthouse in less than an hour. Once inside, he decided to call someone he knew was already up. Pulling out his cell, he dialed Jerry’s number.

  “I was beginning to think you were still pissed,” Jerry said.

  “At what?” he asked.

  “Not giving you enough advance warning about Mother. Did you hear? She’s planning a family…something. She said it was going to be causal. Have you ever seen Mother do anything casual?” he asked.

  “I haven’t heard anything about it. Maybe I’ll give her a call later. When is this so-called family thing happening?”

  “I guess next week. She said Aunt Carole is going to be there. I didn’t think they spoke anymore,” Jerry said. “I don’t know about you, but something funny is going on.”

  “Maybe she misses her,” Kenneth responded. Or maybe someone opened her eyes to what she was missing too. “People change you know,” he said.

  “Not Mother. Something is going on and I can’t figure out what.”

  “Can’t you just be happy that she’s talking to her sister again? I mean that is what normal families do,” he said.

  Jerry laughed. “My point exactly. That’s not us. When we get together there is a purpose behind it. I just can’t figure out this one.”

  Kenneth would’ve been saying the same shit a few weeks ago. His mother wasn’t acting totally like herself. Granted, she was still meeting all her social requirements, but beyond that, she was almost as MIA as Kenneth was.

  “You don’t think she’s sick or something, do you?” Jerry asked.

  “Hell no. I saw her not that long ago and she looked fine,” he said, leaving out the details of their dinner.

  “Okay. But I’m not so sure you’re in your right frame of mind either. I’ve stopped by a few times and the doorman informed me that you’ve been gone a lot lately. Since you’re not calling and bragging about some huge deal, I can only suspect you’re with that woman.”

  “Her name is Shanda, and yes. I’ve been spending time with her in Hope Valley. Why had you stopped by my place? Were you looking to talk about anything specific? I might not have been in Boston, but I always check my messages and I don’t remember you calling me,” Kenneth stated. Jerry was his go-to brother in regard to business dealings, mostly because he skipped the bullshit and said it as it was, or at least, the way he thought it was. That’s
why he called. He wanted to hear what Jerry would say about him relocating from Boston. He was glad he hadn’t, because he no longer cared what his opinion was. But I already know it anyway.

  “Kenneth, I’m not going to lie. You’ve got me more worried than Mother does. How long are you planning on playing this game? Think about it. She doesn’t have anything to lose, but you sure as hell do. You have a life, a career, a fucking successful business. Hell, do I need to get you blinders so you can stay focused on the race you’re in? Or better yet, the one you were in. I already know of two deals you lost. How many more do there need to be before you wake up?” Jerry asked.

  Kenneth wasn’t thrilled about losing one deal, never mind two. But what he’d gained in the process surpassed anything else. “Deals come and go all the time Jerry. What I have with Shanda doesn’t.”

  “You’re that fucking serious about her, aren’t you?” Jerry asked.

  He hadn’t talked to his brothers about his feelings for Shanda—mostly because they were all likeminded. Being with Shanda was a bad business decision. But when you took business out of the equation, everything else fell into place.

  “Jerry, you know when the deal of a lifetime comes along, and you have to weigh if it is right for you at this point in time?”

  “Yeah. Happens all the time. And I make the right choice,” Jerry said. “You used to as well.”

  “I still do. Just the deal I’m looking at is long-term,” he said. Like, till death do us part. It was too soon to ask Shanda to marry him, but he already knew he was going to one day. She had quickly become the one thing he couldn’t walk away from. Eventually he was going to need to tell her that. Hopefully she feels the same.

  “Kenneth, you’re my brother, and I hate to see you throw away everything you’ve worked so hard for. But I have to admit, I’ve never seen you so driven before. I only met her briefly, but even then, I knew there was something between you two. Whatever you decide to do, I’ll support you.”

  “Even if I decide to move to Hope Valley?” he asked.

  He heard Jerry sigh. “Yes. Doesn’t mean I won’t tell you that you’re fucking crazy. It’s a brother’s right. But yeah, I’ll have your back when you break that bad news to our parents.”