She rushed to the closet and dug through, coming up with her prom dress, two church dresses, and a little number Crystal had talked her into buying a few months ago. It was navy-blue lace and hugged her curves. She hadn’t had a reason to wear it before; however, the idea of wearing it for Asher made her squeal. She hugged the dress and spun in circles. “No regrets,” she told her reflection.
Crystal was right. She didn’t want to wonder about Asher in fifty years, or have one who got away. Even though it was scary, and even though her heart was peeking through its fingers, she was going to let herself fall for this guy.
Maybe, just maybe, he’d catch her.
Chapter Eighteen
Asher
Sunset had been spectacular. Pink and orange streams of light lit up the sky and the water, doubling God’s handiwork with a paintbrush. As beautiful as The Cove was, Asher couldn’t take his eyes off Brooklyn.
She. Was. Stunning.
They watched the spectacular show from the dock while sipping sparkling cider. He’d wanted to show her his vision for the Mountain Cove but had lost all interest in proving anything to her the moment she walked in wearing that dress. Who cared if she agreed with his job? She was here for him, and that was more important by far.
She lifted her glass. “Cider? That’s an interesting choice.”
He leaned against the railing. “When I was in college, a group of us took off to Lake Powell for a weekend. It was supposed to be a great time. One of the guys—not someone I knew well—got wasted and crashed his boat. We got to him in time, but he lost an arm and has scars all over his body.”
“That’s horrible.”
“I haven’t touched a drop of liquid fire since.” He reached up and brushed his fingers over her brown hair, blazing in the fading light. “Until now.”
Her cheeks flushed. “My dad was a redhead.”
“I’ll bet he didn’t look as lovely as you.” He hated himself for using a line, but he couldn’t have held it back if he’d tried. Brooklyn had him tripping over himself to make her laugh.
She snorted. “He had a crooked nose and a mean snarl. Mom always said I got the best of both of them.”
He cocked his head. “I don’t know … I think you could pull off a crooked nose.”
She laughed, using her whole face in the process. It was like watching fireworks light up the sky, only he was close enough to feel their warmth and sparkle. “Trust me, it would send you running.”
He grinned. One glance at the balcony on the hill above them, glowing with the light of a hundred candles, told him dinner was ready. He offered Brooklyn his arm. “Hungry?”
She pressed her hand flat against her stomach. “Starved.” They headed up the steps, going slow because of her heels and because neither one of them wanted to get out of breath or sweaty. He asked about the shop, and she filled him in on decorating for the UFO convention starting Friday.
They reached the top of the steps, and she gasped. Her eyes went wide, and she covered her mouth. “Did you do all this?”
He shook his head, leading her to the small iron chair with a cream cushion. “I did not. My secretary is the mastermind behind the design and layout. I’m rather hopeless when it comes to decorating.” He sat down and unrolled his silverware. “But I told her to make it beautiful and to use lots of candles.”
Brooklyn laughed as she looked around. He did the same. The sideboard was covered in silver trays full of wonderful things like smoked salmon, quail eggs, imported olives, specialty cheeses, fresh fruits, and salads.
“Wow, you’re basically an evil mastermind.”
“I don’t mean to brag, but I have some pretty great ideas about taking over the world.” They both grinned, and their gazes held. Blast this table between them. If Brooklyn were sitting next to him, he could kiss her.
“You look like you’re getting an idea right now.”
He sighed and set his napkin next to his plate. “I am. But that one will have to wait until later. Let’s get some food.”
They took their plates to the sideboard and loaded them up. A chattering noise came from the tree off the deck, and they both paused.
Brooklyn pointed. “A squirrel. I’ll bet he’s after these eggs.”
The squirrel in question stared at them as it hugged the tree trunk. The branch he was sitting on could get him within a foot of the deck.
“That’s my buddy Rupert,” Asher informed her. “We have breakfast together three times a week out here.”
“You do not!” Her eyes sparkled.
Even though he was teasing her, he ran with it. “We do. He’s been seeing this squirrel from across the lake, but I don’t think it’s going to work out.”
“Oh?” Her eyebrows lifted.
“Yeah, she’s all into yoga and stuff, and he’s more of a tech guy who has to see it to believe it.”
“Some couples can overcome such difference.”
He wagged his head from side to side, considering her words. “Yes. But she isn’t ready to make a commitment, and he is.”
“That’s tough. I never knew squirrels had it so hard in the romance department.”
He sighed heavily. “You just never know what a varmint is going through until you take the time to feed him breakfast.”
She giggled. “That sounds like a line from a children’s book.”
He set his plate down and held her chair as she sat. “Maybe I’ll write it one day. Rupert’s Broken Heart.”
“That’s a horrible name for a children’s book.”
He took his seat. “Breakfast with Rupert?” he ventured.
“How about … Relationship Advice from a Squirrel?” She twisted in her seat to look at the little guy again. He was frozen in place, waiting for them to become distracted enough that he could sneak over and feast. “Did you tell him I was coming?”
“Of course. We talk about everything.”
She laughed. “And?”
“He said to feed you quail eggs.” He leaned forward and whispered, “Although I’m starting to think he had ulterior motives on that one.”
“Most definitely,” she whispered back.
He took a bite of the salmon. The smoky flavor was just right, and the meat was tender and cold. They ate for a few moments in silence, but it wasn’t the kind that he’d want to get out of or look to escape. It was nice. And the candlelight had turned Brooklyn’s skin a soft golden color. He wished he’d specified to Mrs. Morgan that they should sit next to one another.
“How’s your grandma?” he asked.
Brooklyn choked on her food. Her face turned red, and she took a long drink from her water glass. “Fine. Why? Did someone say something?”
He paused with his fork nearly to his mouth. “No. Should they have?”
She took another drink, her eyes everywhere but on him. “No. Nothing’s happening in her life worth mentioning.”
He bit into the salad on his fork and chewed slowly. “Why am I not convinced?”
She lifted her eyes as if asking heaven for permission. “Okay, there are things happening.” She scooted forward in her seat. “And they are soooo good. But I promised her I wouldn’t say anything.”
He waved his empty fork as if cutting off a symphony. “Say no more.”
Her shoulders lowered. “Thanks for not pushing.” She leaned back in her seat and tucked into her meal.
Asher gave his own sigh of relief. He was pretty sure Brooklyn was talking about the emails they’d exchanged in regards to his Grandpa Thomas, and he wasn’t ready to blow that one open yet. He’d forwarded the information on to Grandpa just the other day with a strong warning for him to proceed with caution. He hadn’t heard anything back yet—except a thank-you note that told him absolutely nothing about what Grandpa was planning to do.
It could have been quite a shock. Asher didn’t know what he’d do if he were in the old man’s shoes.
“So … is this your vision?” asked Brooklyn. Her voice was soft,
barely louder than the violin music coming from the hidden speakers in the eaves.
He stood up and took her hand. “Come here.” Leading her to the far end of the deck where there were fewer candles and no trees to block the view, he placed his arm around her from behind and swayed lightly. She leaned into him. All he could see were her lashes against her cheek. “Look,” he whispered in her ear.
She looked out over the lake and sighed happily. The water was a mirror for the heavens. Even though the stars were still, the sky felt alive. From way up here, in between the lake and the night, it felt like they were floating, like time and stress didn’t exist, like they were a part of eternity and nature and all things holy.
“This is my vision.” He pressed a kiss to her temple.
“How can you ever leave?” she asked softly.
He closed his eyes, drinking in her scent, a combination of the berries she’d eaten and her. “I don’t want to.”
She turned and snuggled into him. “Then don’t.”
He held her close. “Life’s complicated.”
She nodded, her cheek brushing his. Fire ignited in his belly, and he dipped his head to kiss her lips. She tasted of sweet things and goodness and hope—all of which tugged at his heart like he’d never experienced before.
She smiled against his lips. “Couldn’t help yourself?”
He chuckled, taking her hand and placing it on his chest. “Not in the least.”
“I like that about you.” She leaned in and kissed him, her other hand trailing up his arm and behind his neck.
Even if Asher didn’t love the quiet of the Mountain Cove, and even if Eureka Springs didn’t feel like home, Brooklyn did. She was a star fallen from the sky, someone he could laugh with, share his history with, and build a future around. He was in love with her. Brooklyn was tied to this town, and if he wanted her, he’d have to find a way to stay.
There was the lot at the top of The Cove …
She hummed against his lips, and his attention was all on her. On this moment. On the perfect rightness of it all.
Chapter Nineteen
Brooklyn
“I’ll take two alien patties and a little green man.”
Brooklyn grabbed the mint patties for her customer. He had on a bike helmet with a wire hanger coming out the top and a T-shirt that read, “Buckle up! It’s going to be a wild ride.”
The UFO convention was in full swing. For over thirty years, alien enthusiasts had been gathering at the top of the hill to swap sighting stories and watch for UFOs at night. They camped in the woods, gathered in the town square to dance from 7–10 p.m., and ate a whole lot of chocolate.
The mint patties were a tradition, and one of the first chocolates Brooklyn had been trusted to make on her own. She’d used white chocolate and green food coloring to pipe the aliens on the top. The little green man was made of marshmallows stacked on a wooden skewer and dunked in the same green chocolate. Finally, she’d added large white eyes and a smile.
The spaceships and green garlands would come down Monday morning and get tucked away next to the Regency decorations they’d used the week before to celebrate the ball held at the Basin Park Hotel. There’d be another gathering next weekend. And the weekend after that.
“I’ll be back in an hour.” Crystal threw on a jacket. There was a light drizzle outside, nothing to keep the crowds away. “You’ll be okay while I run to the store?”
Brooklyn glanced at the line that wrapped around the store. She’d had bigger rushes than this, and they needed the specialty flavorings for baking tonight. “Get going.”
“Okay. Loves!” She waved and dashed out the door.
Brooklyn gave the Wild Ride man his change and smiled at the next customer. He had Willie Nelson braids and a tinfoil headband. Her smile widened. People were awesome! “What can I get for you?”
“I’ll have a whole pound of your amaretto fudge.”
She nodded, cutting the section as quickly as possible. It was a good thing Crystal was going for flavors. At the rate they were selling today, they’d be out of stock before the mother ship landed.
Working steadily and keeping a smile on her face, she chatted with people as they came through the line. About ten minutes in, the line was out the door. She glanced up at the apartment door. Grandma was down with a migraine today. She’d been up and down all night, probably worried about when Thomas would show up.
With a guilty heart, Brooklyn picked up the pace. There was no way she was going to ask Grams to come down here and help. Nope. She just prayed that the end result would be a good one. Because if Grandma was this upset and the situation turned out bad, then she’d have some major apologizing to do.
The door opened for the three hundredth time. Something inside of Brooklyn was drawn to the doorway. She glanced away from the person ordering and found Asher, his hands tucked in his pockets, grinning at her. The whole shop faded away. The music blaring from the center of town silenced, and her heart jumped.
“Excuse me.” The woman waved her hand. “Are you okay?”
Brooklyn blinked back to the present, and the line that was quickly forming out the door. “I’m fine.” She glanced out of the corner of her eye at Asher as he made his way to the counter, standing by the register but not in the way of customers. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I had some business at city hall and thought I’d stop by. It’s pretty crazy out there.” He hooked his thumb over his shoulder.
She smiled. “Don’t you just love it?” She handed over the lady’s order and set to work as the next woman ordered a quarter pound of every flavor of fudge. The man behind her, wearing makeup that made his face look shriveled and pale, shifted with impatience.
Three women in short, silver, skintight dresses and with blue hair giggled when Asher looked their way. “You were right about this town accepting all sorts.” He nodded to a guy wearing a spaceship costume. The silver disk hung over his shoulders, and flames in red, orange, and yellow danced down his body as he walked.
She nodded. “I’d love to give you a lecture about the benefits of tourism in this town and whatnot, but I don’t have the time right now.”
A slow, sexy smile spread across his face. “I would really like to have that lecture.”
She burst out a laugh. “I’ll bet you would, Mr. Businessman.”
“You two are just adorable,” said the three girls. “We’re totally melting under lasers of love over here.” She fanned her face and her friends giggled.
Asher turned to Brooklyn, his eyes wide with disbelief. Brooklyn, however, took it in stride. “Ladies, you have no idea. This man is a romance mastermind.” His face went deep red, and she barely held back her giggles. “He’s so good, he’s been helping his friend Rupert to woo his lady love. How’s that going, by the way?”
His mouth fell open in shock that she’d brought up his squirrel joke from the other night. He slammed it shut, and a split second later, his eyes gleamed. “It’s nuts.”
She barely held her lips together as laughter threatened.
“I think he needs to bury some of his commitment issues. But then again, he has stored up a winter’s worth of love that he’s just got to share.”
The girls cooed as they took their purchases and headed out the door.
Brooklyn covered her mouth and laughed. “You’re shameless.”
Asher glanced down the line. “I was hoping to steal you away for a late lunch, but I’m guessing that’s not a possibility?”
She frowned. “I’m here till closing.”
“Shoot. I was really hoping to spend some time with you.”
“I’d like to spend some time with her too—if you’ll let me get an order in,” grouched an older man. He was dressed in a black suit with a skinny black tie and had a pair of sunglasses in his white shirt pocket. His silver hair was slicked back, and he had all the attitude of Tommy Lee Jones and then some.
“What would you like?” she asked
sweetly, throwing an apologetic look to Asher.
“I’ll take four alien patties.”
“Coming right up.” She was down to two in the display case and had to run to the kitchen to get another tray.
When she came out, Asher was at the sink, washing his hands.
“What are you doing?” she hissed as she walked by.
“You could use the help, and I can cut fudge.” He used a paper towel to dry his hands.
“You aren’t supposed to be back here.” Grandma would have a fit. There were rules for working in the shop. No boyfriends hanging out while you’re working was a big one.
He lifted a shoulder and spoke to the woman next in line, taking her order. Brooklyn cast a worried look at the despondent green, gray, and fleshy-colored faces now trailing out the door. She could do this on her own, but she’d have upset customers, and this was a big weekend for the store.
Asher stood by her side and placed a bag of truffles next to the register. “Relax,” he said low, right next to her ear. Her whole body erupted in goose bumps. “I’ll get the hang of it. You do the register, and I’ll do whatever I can.” His hand brushed her lower back, and her knees about gave out.
“Yeah,” she breathed.
He kissed her temple and then was off.
She rolled her eyes at her reaction to his nearness. She was so far gone for him, she might be off planet.
“You two had better watch it.” The lady snatched up her truffles. “I think you’re going to melt the chocolates.” She glanced in the bag to make sure her purchase was safe.
Brooklyn giggled. “I’ll do my best to keep it professional.”
She winked and wandered into the sunlight. The light rain had disappeared. She’d bet there was a stunning rainbow over Asher’s cove right now.
Asher set a box next to the register and ran his hand up her arm. “A half-pound of peanut butter.”
Her Billionaire Mistake (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove Book 1) Page 12
