Falling for Home

by Jody Holford

  Charlotte glanced at Lucy, gave a tight smile, then kneeled down and touched Carmen’s shoulder again.

  “Your aunt Lucy has photographed several sharks,” Charlotte shared. This caught the little girl’s attention, and she turned toward Lucy now, face serious.

  “Have you photographed a great white shark? Those are my favorite. They are known as the king of the sharks,” Carmen said, her tone very matter-of-fact. With her shoulder-length hair and serious nature, she reminded Lucy very much of Charlotte.

  Lucy kissed Mia’s soft forehead once more, breathing in the delicious combination of baby shampoo and powder, and then handed her to Charlotte. Standing to take the baby from her, Char’s lips turned down slightly. Lucy squatted down so she could meet Carmen’s eyes, but her niece looked beyond, her gaze darting everywhere but directly at Lucy.

  “I haven’t, no. But I did photograph a Porbeagle shark when I was in Chile,” Lucy answered. Carmen’s brown eyes widened even as her brows furrowed together. She opened her book, The Anatomy of Sharks, and looked through the index.

  “I haven’t read about that one. Do you have a picture?” Carmen asked, closing the book.

  “I do on my laptop. I could show it to you sometime.” Lucy weaved a little in her squatting position. She really had to work out more. Or do yoga. Or something.

  “You photographed it?”

  “I did. They’re known as a playful shark.” Lucy rested her hands on her thighs while Carmen looked her over.

  “You look different. Mommy says we met before,” Carmen announced. Lucy grinned at Charlotte’s mini-me and the abrupt shift in topic.

  “You look different, too. Bigger. But I was here when you were born, so we have met. You’re cuter now than then, though,” Lucy said. Carmen looked at Lucy for a moment, tilting her head to the side.

  “You are, too,” she replied solemnly, making her and her family laugh.

  The sound of everyone’s laughter reminded her that she was surrounded by almost all of the people she loved most in the world. The thought of what she’d missed out on twisted her stomach in opposing directions. She’d tried to cajole her mother into joining them this morning, but Julie had claimed she had a deadline that she couldn’t put off any longer. Her father and Kate had exchanged a strange glance at this, and Lucy had wondered if her mom had been pitching in at the center. She stood and offered her hand to Carmen.

  “Want to take some pictures with me, Shorty?”

  “My name is Carmen. I’m five. Can I use your camera?” Lucy bit back a smile at the serious tone and expression.

  “Do you drop things often?” Lucy put a protective hand on her camera bag.

  “I didn’t drop Mia.” She stared up at Lucy, one hand on her hip.

  “Good enough for me.”

  Carmen passed her book to her grandfather and took Lucy’s hand. Lucy squeezed it gently and smiled at her sisters and her dad. With Carmen and her favorite camera in tow, she waved to their family as they went to see what different groups of townsfolk were up to. Carmen tugged her hand.

  “What other sharks have you photographed?” she asked, making Lucy smile.

  “Why don’t you just toss the little jerkoffs into a cell?” Sam asked Alex as he held the board in place. They were putting together a portico that would apparently add character to the rundown building. Sam, an architect and carpenter, started to explain his vision, but Alex had insisted he just tell him where to stand and what to pass him when. He had done some repairs on his home, but he didn’t have anything close to Sam’s talent and capability. Which is why it came in handy that they were friends—Sam would be helping him make a few renovations over the summer.

  “Not that easy. For one thing, I don’t know how many I’m dealing with. I don’t want to nail the lackeys if someone is behind them. It seems like more than just stupid kid pranks. Something isn’t sitting right with any of this.”

  Sam took the triangular structure he had nailed together and put it to the side. Alex used the hem of his T-shirt to wipe the sweat dripping into his eyes. As he lowered his shirt, his gaze made contact with Lucy, who was strolling hand in hand with Carmen. She blushed when he caught her staring then went back to listening to whatever Carmen was saying. Charlotte and Luke’s oldest was cute and had a free spirit. Kind of like her aunt. But she also had rigid boundaries, and Alex suspected she might be on the autism spectrum.

  “You missed a spot of drool.” Sam said, swallowing back some water.

  “Huh?” Alex looked down at his shirt and then at Sam.

  Sam nodded toward the hem of Alex’s shirt that he was still holding.

  “You got the sweat, but now you’re drooling. Though I don’t really blame you. She’s smokin’ hot. Just like her sisters.” He waggled his eyebrows comically.

  Alex frowned and grabbed a water of his own, opened it up, and then watched as Lucy showed Carmen how to point and shoot with her high-tech camera.

  He gave Sam a small shove. “Aren’t you getting married? To an extremely hot woman of your own?”

  Sam grinned, tossing his water bottle into a nearby bin already overflowing with empties. “That I am, my friend. That I am. But I’m not blind or dead, so it’d be hard not to notice the Aarons sisters,” Sam returned easily, picking up his hammer.

  “Fair enough. She’s never around long enough to do more than take a glance anyway,” Alex mumbled, grabbing the next piece of wood to attach to the triangular addition that he still couldn’t fully visualize.

  “You never know, man. Maybe she’ll stick around.”

  “Sure. And maybe the pain-in-the-ass kids that are messing up the town will turn themselves in and ask to repair all the damage.”

  Sam scoffed with a smile and the two of them returned to sweating and pounding nails in the Minnesota sun.

  By late afternoon, Alex needed a shower desperately. There was a BBQ over at the Kellys’ house, and Alex silently debated attending as he wandered around the side of the building. It backed up to a huge field that was surrounded by an array of forested hills. Alex heard the rushing of the nearby waterfall that had started to melt with the approach of summer. The entire center had received a fresh coat of paint today, which really made a difference. When he reached the back of the building, he smiled at the sight of the dumpster that still sat out back. He remembered, fondly, how at sixteen he’d tried to get Danielle Peterson to kiss him by the dumpster that still sat out back.

  At the sound of clicking, he turned his head and found himself staring down the barrel of a camera so big it almost covered Lucy’s face.

  “Hey, Sheriff. What’s the smile for?” She snapped another picture.

  “I was thinking about kissing Danielle Peterson right here in this spot,” he admitted, rocking back on his heels with his thumbs hooked in his pockets. He didn’t flinch when she kept snapping but wished she’d put the camera away. He wasn’t shy but he didn’t crave the spotlight.

  Lucy lowered it, frowned at him but before he could ask why, she gave him a smile that made his stomach tilt. She was more than just beautiful with the sun setting behind her, highlighting the red and gold strands peeking out of all that dark. He wanted his hands in that hair.

  With her camera in front of her like a shield, she glanced at him through lowered lashes. “I hope that didn’t make you feel special.”

  Alex grinned. Her lips pursed into a small pout that he found adorable. He probably wasn’t the only guy with memories of Danielle behind the rec center, but he cared less about that and more about Lucy’s slightly snide tone.

  “At sixteen, I didn’t care if I was special as long as I—”

  Lucy cut him off by putting her hands up to her ears, letting the camera hang from her neck. Alex laughed and stepped closer to her but instead of pulling her hands down, he reached for the camera. Her hands came down immediately, stopping him from slipping it off of her neck. He arched an eyebrow and gave a small tug. With her lips pressed together, she continued t
o hesitate.

  “You let Carmen have a turn.” This close to her, it was hard to keep his focus on the camera and where it was resting against her chest.

  “She told me she held Mia without dropping her, so it seemed like she could handle my baby.”

  He slipped a strap over her head. “I held Mia without dropping her, too, you know.” He chuckled, putting his eye behind the viewfinder.

  “Alright. Just be gentle.” She put her hands on her hips and watched him.

  He clicked the camera, surprised by the little thrill that the sound inspired. He turned the camera toward her and saw her frown in miniature.

  “Take pictures of the view.”

  “I am. It’s an excellent view,” he laughed. She rolled her eyes and walked toward the field.

  Doors slammed from the parking lot as people loaded up supplies and families and took off for the evening. Alex was enjoying seeing the town come together for something that would benefit them all. Following behind Lucy, he found that it was a bit tricky to navigate the camera and move at the same time.

  “I don’t remember you dating Danielle,” Lucy said, her tone stiff.

  “Never said I dated her. She was just a girl,” Alex said, wondering what all of the different buttons did. What was wrong with just ‘point and shoot’?

  Lucy and Danielle had never been chummy, but her tone suggested there was a reason for this. Confirming his suspicion, Lucy added, “Just a girl who kissed a lot of boys wherever she could.”

  Definitely a story there, but he didn’t want to talk about the past. He was pretty damn happy with the present. “I know. But I didn’t care at the time,” he answered easily, zooming in on the trees in the distance. They were in full bloom, blending together and melding into one another as if they couldn’t exist without touching. So much beauty. He loved this town and being in it.

  Lucy stood beside him as he snapped a couple photos. His skin buzzed, like his body was completely aware of her next to him. He could feel her gaze. “And now?”

  He lowered the camera, meeting that questioning gaze. Very clearly, he replied, “Now I still don’t care who she kisses.”

  Her smile spread slowly before it reached her eyes and she nodded, accepting the camera as he passed it back to her. She carefully removed the extended lens and loaded it into the bag on her shoulder.

  He was still staring at her with a smile of his own when she looked back up. A soft breeze had her brushing back a few strands of hair from her eyes. Then she turned and tipped her face to the sky.

  Lucy sighed, as though she was tired or just happy to stand still. “I forgot how beautiful it can be here.” Tendrils of hair stuck to her neck, reminding him he needed to get home and shower if he was going to make an appearance at the BBQ. Before he could stop himself, his thoughts wandered to her needing a shower as well.

  “You heading to the Kellys’?” he asked, clearing his throat, hoping his train of thought didn’t show on his face.

  She looked over at him with eyes that held a hint of sadness. Her smile matched.

  “You okay, Luce?” he asked, giving into the urge and brushing the strand she’d missed behind her ear. Her eyes closed briefly and his breath stuck in his throat.

  “I’m fine. I think I’ll skip it. I’m tired and not really in the mood for another crowd. Especially since Kate has roped me into more work tomorrow.”

  He tucked his hand back into his pocket and told himself that the electricity between them was just a combination of lust and his own stupid memories.

  “Are you headed over?” She turned and began walking back toward the building, kicking blades of grass and stray rocks as she stared at her feet.

  “I haven’t decided. I don’t know if I feel like another crowd either. How about some dinner? I’m starving.” Their shoulders brushed as they walked side by side.

  “Together?”

  He laughed at the surprise on her face.

  “It would be nicer than alone, I think. It would definitely be better than Bruce’s burgers. I think it’s some sort of sacrilege when a man can’t BBQ.”

  Lucy laughed and, finally, her smile reached her eyes.

  “I don’t know. Kate suggested that I leave you alone.” She looked away, and he put a hand on her arm, pulling her around gently.

  “What? What does Kate have to do with this?”

  He was sure he’d never sent mixed signals to Kate. He’d never thought of her that way. He’d only ever wanted Lucy.

  “She says you’re long-term and should be off limits to a girl like me,” she said, her tone flat.

  He wasn’t surprised by her candor—Lucy had always been direct. Though she made light of it, he could see she was bothered by what Kate had said. She stood in front of him, not quite meeting his eyes.

  “Well,” he mused, closing the small space between them so their bodies were all but brushing against each other, “last time I checked, I didn’t let anyone tell me who I should or should not get close to.”

  He could kiss her—press his mouth against hers as he’d been dreaming of for years. Her eyes were half closed and her breath was sawing in and out in short bursts. He could see the tiny spattering of barely there freckles on the bridge of her nose, and he had the ridiculous urge to run his finger from one to another. She wet her lips quickly, making his stomach—and lower—tighten. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He leaned in, moving his hand to her arm, which was soft and sun warmed. He trailed his fingers up until he could cup her cheek. She watched him through lowered lashes and he wondered if he’d ever wanted to kiss anyone more than he wanted to kiss Lucy Aarons.

  Regardless, he knew better than to let attraction rule over caution. “Besides,” he murmured, his lips narrowly missing hers to travel up and graze her ear, “I only suggested dinner.”

  The sensual cloud scattered from her eyes and she rapped him on the chest.

  “Jerk, “she said, her lips curving up.

  Shaking her head at him, she nudged him again and the tension, sexual and otherwise, between them eased. They walked back to the parking lot in time to see Kate loading up her trunk. He was surprised by how quickly the lot had cleared. Maybe others didn’t know about Bruce’s burgers.

  Kate glanced over and gave Lucy another odd look as they walked toward her. He felt Lucy stiffen beside him.

  “You know what? Dinner sounds great,” she said, louder than necessary.

  “You guys aren’t going to head over to the BBQ?” Kate slammed her trunk closed.

  “No. We’re going to shower and grab a bite to eat,” Lucy answered in what could only be described as a defiant tone. She seemed to realize belatedly what she had actually said.

  “I mean,” she stammered, her eyes darting back to him and then over to her sister, “we each have to shower. In our own showers. And then we’ll eat. Together. After we each shower alone.”

  Kate chuckled and, just like that, the sisters were at ease with each other, despite Lucy’s cheeks now looking sunburned. As Lucy stowed her camera gear in the backseat, Kate moved in and kissed Alex’s cheek.

  “Hang on to your heart. I love her, but she won’t stay,” she whispered so low he wasn’t even sure he’d heard her right.

  “I’ll drive with Kate and meet you at your house in an hour?”

  “Sounds good,” he agreed.

  He watched as both women got into the car. The day had definitely not gone as he’d expected. There’d been no major issues in town, he’d actually enjoyed working with his hands, he’d almost kissed Lucy Aarons, and he would be having dinner with her, alone. He was more than a little curious to see what the night would bring. He caught himself whistling as he moved toward his truck.

  Chapter 3

  Lucy ignored the not-so-subtle looks Kate was shooting from her position on the bed. Her sister had a far more expansive wardrobe than Lucy, who was currently rifling through to find something decent to wear.

  “Stop it.”

&nb
sp; “I didn’t say anything,” Kate replied grumpily.

  Lucy pulled on a black-and-white-striped V-neck tank top that was slightly longer in the back. It looked good with the dark cargo shorts she was wearing.

  “You’re shooting daggers, and it’s starting to annoy me. You act like I’m some sort of femme fatale. I’m pretty sure Alex can take care of himself,” Lucy huffed, turning around and waiting for Kate to comment on her outfit.

  Kate glanced her way with little interest but gave a slight nod of approval.

  “More like Julia Roberts in the Runaway Bride,” she replied, closing her sociology text and pushing up off her perfectly made bed. Kate was in her final year of college and had taken the smart route, staying at home until she finished. She wouldn’t be starting her career with a mountain of debt.

  “Wow. That’s low. And I’ve never left a guy at the altar,” Lucy reminded her, doing her best not to stomp out of her little sister’s room. She also resisted the urge to shove her down onto the bed as she walked past her and silently applauded her own maturity.

  “How about the prom?”

  Lucy stopped in the hallway and turned around slowly. People rarely brought up the prom. At least not people in her family. The story was legend in their small town. She’d refused to come down and meet her date, Lewis Mandrake, when he’d shown up with his limo and corsage, his tie the color of her lilac dress. She’d never shared the reason with anyone, so the story had snowballed and Lucy had never corrected any version she might have overheard with the truth.

  “You know what, Kate? I think it’s sweet that you’re protective of Alex. If it’s because you actually do have a thing for him—”

  “I don’t!”

  “Then knock it off and mind your own business. I’m going for dinner with an old school friend. Our neighbor. The town sheriff. I’m not going to molest him or kidnap him or use his goddamn handcuffs on him, so let it go!”