First Kiss

by Bernadette Marie

  Cade smiled and held his hand out to her. “It’s Cade, Cade Carter, Mrs. Fields. It’s nice to see you again.”

  “Oh, my!” She looked him over and then slid a glance toward Olivia.

  Olivia felt herself tense. She’d thought more of Mrs. Fields than to make quick judgments, but she knew that was what she was doing.

  Mrs. Fields patted Cade’s hand. “I’m sorry to hear about your daddy. He was an upstanding member of this community. We’re all going to miss him.”

  “Thank you.” Cade retracted his hand and even stepped back from the counter just a bit.

  “So, what can I get for you?”

  “You know, I’ll take what she’s having.”

  Mrs. Fields walked away to gather their order.

  Cade moved in closer behind her. “I don’t think she likes me.”

  She didn’t look over her shoulder to look at him. “You were late to your own father’s funeral. No one saw you there. In this town, that’s a sin.”

  “C’mon, at least I’m here.”

  Olivia swallowed hard. “For the first time in twelve years and he’s dead, Cade.”

  “Point made,” he said as he stepped back again.

  Mrs. Fields set their coffees and muffins on the counter and rang it into the cash register.

  Olivia reached into her purse for her wallet.

  Cade stepped up to the counter. “I’ve got it.”

  He pulled the bills from his pocket and set them on the counter. Olivia picked up the purchase and headed out the door with her umbrella tucked under her arm.

  The rain had increased, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to get in the car and drive away.

  He was following her as quickly as he could. From the corner of her eye she could see that he limped, obviously residual effects from his accident. If she just hurried, he’d never catch up with her.

  But he called out to her, “Olivia, what’s gotten into you?”

  She hesitated at the car. “I have to get to work.”

  He moved quickly as she opened her door and blocked it before she could get in. The water dripped from her hair into her eyes, and she tried to bat it away.

  “Hey, I know you think I’m just some asshole who never called his father, but I thought we were friends.”

  “We were friends. When we were little. You didn’t even know who I was yesterday.” It hurt when she said it. Why should she care?

  He raised his eyebrows. “You have to admit you look a bit different.”

  “I never should have become unfamiliar to you.” That hurt the moment she said it so she just went on. “You can’t actually expect me to stand here and feel sorry for you, do you? Your daddy died and you’re doing your duty to come back here. You never cared, Cade. You only cared about yourself.” She pushed past him. “He was proud of you. He loved you. Your silence hurt him.”

  “And you know all of this because you stayed in this hell hole and never got out? Because he got them to paint my name on the sign outside of town? Proud of me? He cared more about you and Conner than he ever did about me.”

  If her hand had been free, she’d have slapped him across the face, but instead she climbed in the car and slammed the door.

  She set the coffee in the holder, started the car, and backed out of the space narrowly missing him. Perhaps if she’d tried harder she could have run him over, but, then again, he’d probably only end up denting her car and that would cost her too much to fix.

  The bank was only two minutes away. She wondered how she was going to compose herself in those two minutes.

  She was officially late when she walked into the bank. It had taken her four passes through town to calm down enough to walk through the door and straight into her office where she threw the full cup of coffee and uneaten muffin into the trash.

  Kat was quick. She was at the door the moment Olivia slid out of her jacket.

  “You doing okay? Thought maybe something was wrong. You’re never late”

  “Nothing is wrong, Mrs. McCormick. I’m just late.”

  “Oh, how many times do I have to tell you that I’m not your teacher anymore, and you can call me Kat.” Olivia nodded. Kat moved to her desk and rested her hands on it. “Heard Cade Carter made it to town after the funeral.”

  “You heard correctly.”

  “Have you seen him? My daughter said she heard he’d stayed in town last night at the motel.”

  “The utilities were turned off the day after Austin died. As per his request. I think he didn’t want his sister to move in.”

  “Ugly woman.” Kat shook her head. “Abused that little boy of hers something awful and just abandoned him to Austin for months at a time. Shame too, he was a smart cookie. He could have gone places.”

  “He did. He was a Marine.”

  “That’s right. I did hear that. Got caught in some crossfire when al-Qaeda took out some town full of women and children.”

  Olivia felt the chill of sweat bead up on the back of her neck. She’d heard the story, in vivid detail, and it still made her sick.

  She nodded toward Kat and sat down in her chair.

  Parker tapped on the door. “Everything okay?”

  Olivia blew out a breath. Why did everyone feel the need to coddle her? “Everything is fine.”

  “You have a visitor.” Olivia stood from her chair and Parker moved in. “It’s Cade.”

  Her breath caught, and Kat’s lips formed a grin that had gossip written all over it.

  She leaned in closer to Olivia. “You should head to the restroom and fix yourself up. The rain got you good.”

  Kat turned to leave, and Parker stepped up to her desk. “Want me to take him? I’m sure he’s here on Austin’s behalf.”

  “No, I’ll take care of it. Just stall him a moment and let me get cleaned up.”

  Olivia hurried out of her office before Cade saw her and headed to the restroom.

  When she returned, he was seated in one of the chairs in front of her desk. His sunglasses were still on the back of his neck and his shirt was still damp from the rain.

  She shut the door behind her, and he turned.

  “Thought maybe Parker led you out the back door.”

  “I'd considered it.”

  He let out a chuckle as she sat down behind her desk.

  “I didn't remember Mindy's bakery being so good,” he commented.

  “She has a good little business.”

  “You know, I'm sure Kat would have snatched up that coffee and muffin you threw in the trash. She always was a sucker for a baked good.”

  Olivia's stomach twisted. She looked in the trash next to her desk and prominently displayed on the top was the full cup of coffee, now leaking into the can, and the uneaten muffin.

  “I'm sorry. I'd lost my appetite. I'll pay you back.”

  “I'd settle for you just to talk to me like I didn't run over your dog.”

  Olivia sat back in her seat. “This has been a hard week. Having you here seems to be making it harder.”

  He leaned in closer to the desk and rested his folded arms atop it. “Is that because you didn't expect me at all?”

  “Cade…”

  “No, I don't blame you. Why would anyone expect more?” He sat back in his chair. “So you said you were in charge of things. What does that mean?”

  Olivia dropped her shoulders and did her best to not be so uptight. After all, it wasn’t her father that had died, it was Cade’s. Even if he hadn’t been around, she needed to respect that he was the one who had lost his father. “Austin had some accounts and a safety deposit box.”

  “Great, tell me what to sign and I’ll get out of here.” His voice was anxious Olivia narrowed her eyes on him at his comments.

  “Wouldn’t want to keep you.” She snipped at him. “I’ll need the power of attorney papers as well as his death certificate.”

  His eyes shot open wide. “Shit! I don’t have any of that.” He came forward on his chair and res
ted his arms on the desk again.

  “Cade, you can’t close out anything without them or attempt to sell the house. They should have been in the mail.” She laced her fingers together and dropped them on her desk as well.

  “Dad’s mail? There’s no mail in his box.”

  Olivia fisted her hands. She’d made arrangements for him to have those papers. There was no reason he should be seated before her without them.

  Cade tapped his fingers on her desk. “Where do I get them?”

  “You’ll have to contact the county and have them sent to you.”

  “Great. What will that take? Six weeks?” He was perturbed, and she found humor in it. He fell back in his chair again.

  “If you’re lucky,” she added, knowing she could tell him that he could drive to the county seat and probably get it in his hand. She’d also pay a call to the postmaster to find out where Austin’s mail had been forwarded. But she wasn’t going to share anything with Cade so she sat calmly. It was better to watch him stew.

  He focused his eyes on her, and she felt her palms begin to sweat. He leaned in even closer over the desk.

  “Who arranged his services?”

  “I did.”

  “Who turned the water off in his house?”

  “I did. I can have that turned back on…”

  “Did it.” He clenched his jaw. “Did you take the TV?”

  “What? No.”

  He nodded as if he’d known that was going to be her answer. “If you arranged his service and took care of his house, wouldn’t you have gotten those papers? Seems you were pretty close to the old man.”

  Olivia straightened her spine. “I took care of him, Cade. The man died in my arms in the kitchen.” The anger and hate that she’d bottled up over Cade Carter was fresh and raw now. She struggled to keep her calm. “I made sure he had three square meals a day. I made him take his medicine, and I drove him to Gunnison to see the heart specialist that was recommended. He treated me like a daughter, and he respected me, and that is a lot more than I can say for any other person in this town.”

  She took a deep breath, aware that her voice was rising.

  “The paperwork should have been mailed to his house. But now you’ll need to get that paperwork to me before I can help you, Cade.”

  He gave her another nod. “My aunt…did she come to the funeral?”

  Olivia shook her head. “I thought someone said she’d come to town, but I didn’t see her, and I would have. It was a small crowd.” And that bothered her. Austin had closed himself away from the world. He should have had the whole town there, so why wasn’t the world mourning as much as she was?

  Cade ran his tongue over his teeth and took in the sight of her sitting so professionally behind her desk. He’d thought of her over the years, but, of course, the image he had of her didn’t fit the woman before him.

  Her chocolate brown eyes were soft, and today her brown hair fell over her shoulders. The black suit she wore made her look smart, but he already knew she was. Maybe it was fate he’d returned and had to do business with her.

  He looked over her interlaced fingers resting on her desk. Each ring finger had a dainty gold band. He wasn’t sure if that was a symbol or a fashion. It was time to find out who Olivia Baker was now. It would give him something to do while in Aspen Creek, and it looked like he’d be staying awhile.

  Cade crossed his arms over his chest. “So did you ever get out of this hell hole?” He asked realizing it was the worst way to put the question. “Probably didn’t get to college like you’d wanted to, did you?”

  Where had he lost his art of conversation?

  Olivia held her chin high. “I went to Mesa University in Grand Junction. I graduated with a 3.8. I have a degree in finance.” She locked eyes with him. “Yes, I got away.”

  He swallowed hard. “It did good for you, even if you didn’t leave the state. You look real good.” His compliment didn’t even sound like one, and she shook her head. He was in too deep now, which meant he couldn’t stop talking. “So what brought you back?” He tried to gain back some composure, but suddenly any social skills he had seemed to be flying out the window.

  “I came back to take care of your dad when I found out he was sick. And I got a really good job offer. We returned to this hell hole,” she used her fingers to emphasize his quotation, “about a year and a half ago. We just bought the old Alistair place over on Elm.” She smiled when she said it.

  “Yeah, I know the place. Hung with Patrick Alistair in high school. Though I think he was a senior when we were freshmen, but he could get beer.” God, he was sounding so juvenile. It pained him to hear his own voice. “So, you said we?”

  “I beg your pardon?” Her beautifully sculpted eyebrows had drawn together.

  “You said we.”

  A different smile formed on her lips. “Oh, yes, I did. Gage and I.”

  Gage. The name stuck him in the chest like a knife because he’d seen the spark in her eyes when she’d said his name. “Lucky man.”

  “I hope he thinks so.” She stood from behind her desk and looked down at him. “Well, Mr. Carter, I assume I’ll see you again when you have the appropriate paperwork.”

  He realized his cue and stood to leave the office.

  Olivia reached out and touched his arm. “Cade,” her voice was hushed and the hardness of her eyes had softened. “I’m really sorry about your dad. I cared for him so much.” The sincerity piqued his interest.

  When he turned to her and met her eyes with his, he felt her hand tremble just as he felt his own knees go weak. Yeah, he thought, she felt it too. Damn it to hell, that Gage was a lucky guy.

  He could find no words for her compassion. He slipped on his sunglasses and headed out of the bank.

  As he walked out, he gave Kat McCormick a nod, and she smiled a crooked smile. Yeah, she’d have plenty to gossip about this summer. Olivia Baker, vice-president of the Aspen Creek bank, had just made him feel as little as he assumed he’d made her feel most her life, and he was sure it showed in his face. Well, it wasn’t the first time either of them had been the fodder for town gossip, and he was sure it wouldn’t be the last.

  Chapter Four

  Olivia walked through the door to the post office just before closing time.

  “Cutting it pretty close, aren’t you?” Clive, the postmaster, gave her a friendly smile.

  “I know, but I just need some information.”

  “Well, then, I’m your guy. What can I help you with?”

  Olivia pushed back her shoulders and sucked in a breath of courage. “I need to know where Austin Carter’s mail is.”

  Clive’s lips pursed, and he narrowed his eyes on her. “You know I can’t give that information out.”

  “I assumed so, but nothing has been delivered to his house since he passed and we’re expecting important documents.”

  Clive gave her a slow nod and leaned in over the counter. “I could tell you that you might want to talk to Ms. Carter.”

  “Austin’s sister?”

  “Just saying. Her name was still listed as a resident.”

  The woman was a vulture. Olivia gave him a warm smile. “I’ll look into that.” She turned to leave.

  “His son is in town, isn’t he?”

  Olivia stopped and turned back. “For a few days.”

  “I’ll stop by on my route and give my condolences. Mr. Carter was a fine man.”

  She gave him a wave and left. Yes, Austin Carter was a fine man and, at that very moment, she missed him terribly.

  The water and electricity had been restored to the house, and Cade was happy to not have to stay in town another night. He would, however, need to find some clothes. He’d only brought enough for three days, and it was a little cooler in the valley than he’d thought it would be. Perhaps he’d head over the mountain to Aspen Hills and buy something better than what the local general store had. He cringed when he thought about it.

  After his meetin
g with Olivia, he’d called Ashley, who was sitting poolside enjoying a beer—his pool, drinking his beer. The whole thought made him mad.

  He was tense. That was all. This little town made him that way. Perhaps he’d head into town and throw a few back himself. It wasn’t fair that Ashley was living it up in his house while he was obsessing over Olivia Baker and her absolute hatred of him and her very obvious affection for his father.

  That clinched it. Perhaps a really good drunk would help him clear his mind, and maybe, just maybe, he could find out why Olivia was so attached to his old man and why there was a nursery upstairs.

  There was only one problem with working at a bank, Olivia decided as she wiped the fog from the bathroom mirror…getting up before the sun on a Saturday morning to go into work. She couldn’t really complain. They all took their turns. Today it was her and Kat. It just might make for a very long four hours.

  Michelle knocked on the door just after seven as Olivia filled her travel mug with coffee.

  “Gage is still asleep,” she whispered as she let Michelle in the front door. Thank God for Michelle. Every other Saturday she’d worked Austin had watched him, up until she’d moved out of his house. Then he’d been busy. Only now she knew that had been his excuse since he was getting sicker.

  “Did he have another bad night?”

  “Yes. He’s only eighteen months old. I can’t image what he could possibly have terrors over.”

  “Did you have them when you were little?”

  She thought about it. “I don’t think so.”

  “How about his dad?”

  Olivia shrugged her shoulders, not wanting to even think about his father. She turned and headed toward the kitchen. She pulled a mug from the cupboard and handed it to Michelle. “So, what are your plans?”

  Michelle took the mug and filled it from the coffee pot on the counter. “I thought we’d head into town and play at the park for a little bit. My sister and niece were going to meet us there.”

  And it was reasons such as setting up play dates that made Michelle not only Gage’s favorite teacher but her favorite sitter.