Animal Prints: Sweet Small Town Contemporary Romance (Michigan Moonlight Book 1) (25 page)

“I don’t know what to say. I don’t have any experience with that sort of problem, but I’m sorry, Ian.” She reached across the table to take his hand, forcing him to look up.

“I’m an adult. I’ll get over it.” His usual bright eyes were dimmed. “I never expected some glorious father-son moment like in the movies. Just a friendly acknowledgement of our relationship on his part would have been nice.”

“What about your brother? Is it any better for him?”

“Tom stayed in college when I left to join the army, got his law degree so everything was fine for him for a lot longer. But when he didn’t go to work for my dad after that, he had the same experience I did.”

“Does he see your father?”

“Couple times a year, tops.”

“So your father isn’t even motivated by his grandchildren?” She couldn’t imagine not having multiple generation of family around regularly.

Ian gave a derisive laugh. “His secretary makes sure they get birthday and Christmas presents. Same as when Tom and I were kids.”

“That’s terrible!” Colette exclaimed. “Families are supposed to love and care for each other!”
 

“We’re not really that kind of family. Tom and I try, but I can’t see any way to change it now.” Ian drained the last of his wine. “Buuut,
you
could try to make me feel better.”
 

“How?”

A glint came into his eyes. “Come over here and sit on my lap.” He gave her hand a tug.

“How’s that going to make you feel better?” The answer was obvious, but she wanted to tease him and lighten his mood.

“If you’re going to be stubborn, I could come sit on your lap.”

“I smell like the barn,” she warned him, but she rose and walked around the table. He pushed his chair back, giving her room to settle into his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder.
 

“I’m better already.”

“Good.” She nuzzled his neck, eliciting a groan from him.

“You’re not expected anywhere today, are you? Family dinner?”

“Nope. Did you have something in mind?” Because if he didn’t, she did.

“Yeah, but first I need to tell you something.” The serious tone in his voice made her sit up and turn slightly to face him. “Don’t leap to conclusions. I see the wariness in your eyes.”

“Sorry.” She dropped her head, but he immediately lifted her chin up with his hand until their eyes met again.

“Maybe your trust issues have worked to my advantage. Other than that, there’s no way a woman like you would still be single.”

“Like me?”

He nodded, twisting a lock of her hair around his finger. “Beautiful, smart, loving, a little stubborn when you need to be. Yeah, just like you.” His fingers moved to feather over her cheeks. “Colette, I’ve never felt like this about anyone before. When I’m with you, I feel so damn good. I never thought it could be like this.”

She leaned forward to kiss his lips, her arms tightening around his neck. “I know exactly what you mean,” she whispered before she kissed him. She wouldn’t tell him she loved him, not right now, but it was close enough. “Now, tell me about this plan you have.” In answer, he stood up with her still in his arms and headed for the stairs. When they reached the staircase, she said, “I think you should put me down.”

“Why?” His foot was on the first step. “You think I’m not man enough to carry you up?”

“I have no doubts about that, but I don’t want you to trip and hurt yourself or me. Not when we have other things we want to do.” She nibbled on his ear to help make her point.

“Did I already mention you were smart?” He swung her down, but kept her body tight to his side as they climbed the stairs.

“Oh, my,” she whispered when she pushed open her bedroom door. The shades were drawn casting the room in shadows except for the scattering of lighted votive candles. “You were confident where this would end.”

“End? We’re just getting started.” He pulled her t-shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor, then shed his own. “What?” he asked, looking down at his chest when she giggled.

“I’m always amazed how men can take off a shirt in one motion. Women don’t do that. Wonder why that is?” He backed her up until her legs bumped into the bed.

“Two reasons.” He laid her gently on the bed. “Women care about their hair,” he ran his fingers through the long strands where they fanned out on the bed, “and, my favorite reason, women have these.” His hands closed around her breasts.

“I knew you were clever.” She twined her arms around his neck.

“You’re going to find out just how clever in a few minutes.”

Chapter Fifteen

Ian rode the few miles into town and parked the bike behind the Petoskey Animal Clinic. When he entered by the back door, the smell of antiseptic overpowered the other scents of animals, but nothing could muffle the noise from one of the exam rooms. A high pitched squeal split the air, causing him to cringe. The door flung open and a little boy with a puppy tucked under his arm ran down the hall to the waiting area. A round, gray-haired lady still rubbing her ears stepped into the hall with Colette.

“Thank you, Dr. Peterson. Sorry about the squealing.”

“It’s normal. Puppies, like kids, don’t like shots. Go around the corner to the receptionist. She’ll set up the next appointment.” Colette pointed the lady in the direction of the waiting room, then turned to Ian with a smile. “I’ve got one more patient before lunch.” She watched his face. “What is it? You look like the cat who swallowed the canary.”

“I’ve got something to tell you over lunch.” He stole a quick kiss.

“Whatever it is, it must be good. I’ll be fifteen minutes. I think Mom’s in the records room in the back if you want to visit her.” She pointed to a closed door at the end of the hall.

Ian knocked before entering to find Jade sitting on the floor going through stacks of folders. “Jade, I’d try to charm you away from Jack if I hadn’t already flipped over your daughter.” Ian leaned down to kiss Jade’s cheek. “I’m a little scared of Jack, too.”

“He’s not so scary when you get to know him better.” She handed him a bundle of documents. “Can you put those on the pile by the window?”

“I think Jack’s going to continue to scare me for a while.”
 

“It’s the quiet that gets to people, but he likes you. He even said it to me in so many words.”

“Yeah? I couldn’t tell.” Ian returned from his task. “I need some advice on another matter.”

“About Colette?”

He nodded. “I want to get her something special for the night of the fundraiser. Any suggestions?”

“What kind of special?” Jade’s gave him a little smile.

“Earrings, a necklace, or a bracelet. Do you know what color she’s wearing?”

“Lexy and I talked her into buying a little cocktail dress in silver when we were in Ann Arbor last spring. She’ll probably wear that. Silver earrings would look best with it I think.”

“With sapphires to match her eyes?” Ian suggested, the thought striking him suddenly and almost sweeping him away.

“Lovely,” Jade commented. “Maybe I shouldn’t say anything but…”

“What?”

“If sometime in the future you’re thinking of getting her a ring, let me know in advance.”

“Why?” Ian raised an eyebrow at Jade but couldn’t keep the amused expression off his face.

“Jack’s mother gave me her engagement ring and wedding band before she died. She wanted Colette to have them. I promised to hang on to the rings until the time was right.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Ian just had time to say when he heard footsteps in the hall.

“Hey, my last appointment cancelled. I’m all yours.” Colette stood in the doorway to the little room with her lab coat already off and her purse in her hand.

Ian exchanged a look with Jade. “Maybe we can talk about that later.”

“About what?” Colette asked.

“I’m starving.” He took Colette’s arm and steered her to the back door. “Let’s go get lunch.”

Outside, they both blinked in the bright sunlight of late July. “Where’s your car?”

“I found a man’s bike in the barn and rode it.” He gestured to the bike leaning against the back of the clinic. “Since I had to lower the seat and the handlebars several inches before I could even get on it, I figure it must be Adrien’s.”

“Yeah, it’s his spare road bike. I won’t tell him you used it.”

“I shouldn’t have used it?”

“Adrien’s obsessive about riding, competitive, too. That’s a four thousand dollar bike.”

“Shit. Bike’s a bike to me.”

“And a camera is a camera to him.”

“I get the picture.”

“Very funny. Open the door so I can put it in the break room. We’ll be in big trouble if it gets stolen.” Colette pushed the bike into the building while Ian waited for her at the door. “Where are we going for lunch?” She asked when she stepped back outside.

“I thought we could walk downtown to your sister’s place. I haven’t eaten my fill of pasties yet this week.”

They strolled past a few blocks of Victorian style homes with colorful trim and deep front porches. Hanging baskets all along the streets and in the boulevards overflowed with petunias in red, white, and purple. The flowers’ heavy scent hung in the humid air.
 

One of the downtown streets was open to pedestrians only and people could walk the stalls of the weekly farmer’s market. The bright colors and sweet smells of the peaches, cherries, and blueberries crowded the booths alongside red and gold tomatoes and a few ears of early sweet corn. With his fingers laced through hers, Ian and Colette wandered through the market until they reached Hemingway’s Haunt. Gracie waved them to one of the outside tables.

“Hi, Collie, Ian,” Gracie greeted them, her dark curls held under control by a wide red headband. “You trying another pastie today? Lexy concocted a steak, mushroom, onion and provolone one this morning. It’s been selling like hotcakes. If you want one, you better order quick.”

“Perfect. With a lemonade.”

“Same for me, Gracie,” Colette added, then grabbed Gracie’s wrist before she could walk away. “Are you coming to my fundraiser?”

“I think so.” Gracie’s cheeks turned a deep rosy color. “Adrien called me a few nights ago and….”

“Did he manage to actually ask you to be his date?” Colette asked.

She nodded. “I’ll be helping Lexy with the food during the day, then I’ll run home to change.”

“Just change at the farm. Lexy will be dressing there, too. The three of us can help each other get ready. Lexy has to put my hair up and advise me on makeup. I’m lousy at that by myself. Come join us.”

“I don’t want to put any pressure on Adrien….”

“You’re my and Lexy’s friend. Getting dressed at the farm has nothing to do with Adrien.”

“Okay, I’ll think about it. I better get your order in.” Gracie wove through the outdoor tables and disappeared into the café.

“What’s the story on Adrien and Gracie?” He’d seen the waitress several times at the café and liked her, and she was obviously good friends with Colette and Lexy.
 

“A series of missed opportunities and misunderstandings. I’ll tell you all about it sometime.” Colette waved to someone passing on the street.

“They don’t match physically. Your brother is tall and about the leanest man I’ve ever seen and Gracie is short and curvy.” Ian looked over as the waitress came outside with an order for another table.

“Concerned about the aesthetics or Gracie’s curves?”

“It’s hard to miss the curves.” Ian grinned at Colette until a kick hit him squarely in the shin under the table. “Hey! Stop that or I’ll come over to your side of the table and show you how much I like your curves right here on the street.”

“No, not here.” She cast a nervous glance around, then at the grin on his face. Hurriedly, she said, “Tell me what happened today. It’s got to be something good.”
 

“Guess?”

She huffed out a sigh. “I hate guessing games, but I’ll play along. You finished the website for the resort in Boyne and you’re really pleased with it.”