Batter Up (Bachelors of Buttermilk Falls Book 1) (11 page)

She responded by nestling into his chest. “I’d like that. Although, I don’t think you sitting next to me was in my mother’s premonition.”

After a few minutes of watching the town residents go about their daily business, Jason suggested they move on. “So, I thought we’d do a little bit of walking around. I’d like to see where you grew up.”

She sat up and raised an eyebrow. “You do realize that that will take about five minutes.”

He laughed. “We’ll go slow. Then lunch on me. Anywhere but the Star Lite.”

They began their walk along Main Street hand in hand. Jason asked Emma to share her childhood memories with him. He wanted to learn everything about her. She seemed to be enjoying the trip down memory lane, too. They passed by the corner where she had been pulled over for speeding the day after getting her driver’s license; the boutique that both she and Abby had gotten their prom dresses in; and the town’s newspaper office where she had interned her senior year. He didn’t know that she’d had an interest in journalism in high school. That they had writing in common warmed his heart.

It also didn’t go unnoticed that she never brought up Michael in any of her memories. Good sign.

Not that he was worried. He was all but certain Emma and Michael didn’t have the same kind of connection that they shared. Not after what he and Emma experienced together last night. No way. No how.

Emma led him down Main Street then turned right onto East Avenue. In front of them was a two-story school building. “Is that your school?”

“No.”

“But it says ‘Buttermilk High School.’”

“Yes, but I went to Hogwarts,” she said, not missing a beat.

“Good one, Emma Stevens.” He pulled her in close and tugged her ponytail. “At some point, we’re going to have to talk about Batter Up.”

“I thought as much.” She looked up into his eyes. “You don’t think I’ve bewitched you, do you?”

He smirked. “If you did, I’ll gladly stay under your spell.”

She grabbed his hand, leading him across the street and through a large soccer field to empty bleachers. The open space showed off the lush hills surrounding them. They climbed the short steps to the top.

“Wow, this place is beautiful,” Jason said and took a seat.

“You should see it in the fall with the change of leaves. I have so many memories of spending time on these bleachers.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Oh, really?”

She swatted him. “Not like that. I’ve never been behind them.”

He started to stand. “We could take care of that.”

“Sit down.” She took his hand. “Let’s just enjoy the scenery.”

He gazed at her beautiful smile. That he could do. “So, were you a cheerleader?”

“No, Caitlin took care of that.” She sighed. “I didn’t make the team thanks to the captain.”

“Couldn’t you cast a spell that made her lose her voice or turned her into stone?”

“It doesn’t work that way. Although, I’d love nothing more than a bird feeder statue of Caitlin in my front yard.”

He chuckled and leaned back on the railing. It was probably time to have the conversation. “So, how does it work?”

She didn’t say a word but instead mimicked his body language, leaning back.

“Emma, we don’t have to talk about this right now if you’re not ready.”

“Well . . . Are you asking me as Jason, my summer fling who gave me the hottest night of my life, or Jason, the reporter, ready to run me out of business?”

“Hottest night of your life,” he repeated with a grin. That was a relief to hear. More than a relief to know she wasn’t pining for her ex.

She swatted his arm. “Not the point.”

He sat up and grabbed her hand. They’d done a lot of hand-holding today, but right here and now, it really mattered. He didn’t want to screw this up. “I’m not going to ruin you. I want to protect you.”

Her expression softened as she threaded her fingers through his. “My family, we’re not witches, at least not in the way you might think. It’s not like we ride around on broomsticks and turn nosy reporters into frogs.”

“Lucky for me.”

“We just have this gift. My grandmother was the one that had it, really. I’m not sure anyone couldn’t do the Batter Up spell with the right tool.”

“Tool?”

“Let’s just say there’s something I need to use or the spell won’t work.”

“And Batter Up is the only spell you do.”

She nodded. “Yep. Just the one.”

He smiled. “Well, I hear you’re pretty good at it.”

“You’ll never know.”

“Don’t want to.”

She narrowed her eyes. “So, you’re not going to ask me if you can come tonight?”

“Nope.” He stood up and climbed down the stairs, turning back. “No interest whatsoever.”

She followed. “You’re lying.”

“No, really. I have plans of my own tonight.”

“You do?”

“Yes. First, I’m going to pop open a bottle of red wine.” He pulled her in close and stroked her hair. “Then, I’m going to draw a nice hot bubble bath for us . . . with candles—lots and lots of candles. Once you’re done matchmaking, I’ll be ready, if you’re up to it.” He paused and whispered, “Because, Emma Stevens, last night was just foreplay.”

And there were her beautiful red cheeks responding to his invitation. Screw Batter Up night. What he had planned for them would be much more fun.

J
ason came up behind Emma
, spun her around, and pushed her gently up against the Sugar Spoon counter. Earlier that night, he’d done what he’d promised. He didn’t attend Batter Up. He waited patiently at the Buttermilk Tavern while Emma did her thing.

Lance flew in with a small army around seven p.m., slammed his wallet on the bar, and bought a round of drinks for everyone in the tavern. Apparently, he approved of Emma’s prediction. Good for him. Although, Jason still wanted to punch the fireman’s lights out for kissing Emma like he did.

After talking a bit with Tom, he congratulated Lance and headed over to the Sugar Spoon. Once there, the soft leather couch they’d broken in yesterday got another christening.

And it was freakin’ awesome!

His hands ran up and down his white buttoned-down shirt that now covered up Emma’s upper half. It had been a long time since he’d allowed himself to feel this happy, but here he was, feeling emotions he never thought he’d experience again. He wanted to savor every single minute.

Emma playfully swatted him away. “Do you want to do this or not?” She spun back around, facing the counter.

“Oh, I so want to do this,” he whispered into her ear. “All night long.”

“I’m talking about the batter.”

He groaned but then grew serious, wrapping his arms around her stomach. He rested his chin on the base of her soft neck. A place his head wouldn’t mind taking up permanent residence if she let him. “You know, you don’t have to do this.”

She turned and kissed him slowly, the sweet taste of sugar intoxicated his lips. “I want to.”

Before he could object, she wiggled out of his grasp and continued to pour ingredients into the bowl.

“I’m not going to write about this.” He had called his editor this afternoon and told her the story was dead. He’d meant what he’d said on the bleachers earlier. He’d never hurt her. Still, he was more than a little bit intrigued with what she was about to perform.

Although, he didn’t think it’d hold a candle to her performance just now in the office, or all of last night for that matter. He couldn’t believe how amazing they were together. Getting her in her comfortable bed where he could show her over and over how he felt about her was all he could think of. He leaned back on the counter. “You really don’t need to prove anything.”

“I know.” She smiled up at him. “Now hand me that mixing spoon underneath the counter.”

He looked down and saw a wooden spoon with a pink glittered handle. The glitter looked just like little pieces of sugar rock candy that he’d always wanted as a child, but his mother wouldn’t let him eat. “Here’s your tool.” His eyes widened at what he’d just said, remembering their earlier conversation. “Wait. Is this your tool?”

She nodded. “Busted. Everyone thinks it’s the sprinkles, but it’s this beauty. My grandmother’s enchanted sugar spoon.” She took it from his hand. “I keep it in the safe and only bring it out on Monday nights.”

He leaned against the counter. “So, what happens next? Will the batter smoke up?”

“No, silly. This isn’t witch’s brew.”

“How do you know when it’s ready?”

“Geez,” she teased. “Do you always ask this many questions?”

“Sorry, second nature.”

She stopped what she was doing. “Jason, can you honestly throw everything you believe about logic and reason out the window for the next minute and a half?”

“I think I can.” At least, he’d try. He’d do just about anything for the beautiful blonde standing next to him. He hoped that she was starting to realize that.

“Okay, here we go.” Closing her eyes, Emma began to stir.

He didn’t care what the batter may or may not spell. His heart had already made its case. It wanted Emma. He grinned. So did a few of his other body parts. He was falling in love, and dammit, it felt good.

He watched Emma while she concentrated. What was going on inside that beautiful head? It couldn’t be that silly spell she’d made him recite before she set his mouth on fire, could it?

Her eyes flew open and she peered into the bowl, lightly stroking the batter with her spoon. “It’s starting.”

He leaned in to get a look. The letter
E
began to form in pink cursive. He stepped back and rubbed his eyes. Was he really seeing what he thought he was?

His heart raced. Not only was it working, but it was spelling out the name of the woman he was falling in love with. An
m
appeared next.

Apparently, the batter and his heart were on the same page. He spun Emma around and crashed his lips into hers.

Her tongue joined in for a few seconds, but then she pulled away. “Don’t you want to see the rest?” She paused. “With your own eyes?”

“Don’t need to.” He laced his fingers with hers. “Let’s close up and go back to the lake. I’d like to draw that bath I promised.”

Emma ran her hands up and down his bare chest, her fingers resting on the front of his jeans. “Let’s just confirm whose name is in the bowl, shall we?”

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight to his chest. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to peer in and see her name. He did. Still, he wasn’t sure he was ready to accept that magic was real.

Right now, all he cared about was exploring this amazing connection with this gorgeous woman whom he hoped to turn into much more than some silly summer fling. They were headed in the right direction.

He deserved this. It had been a long time. At one point, he didn’t think he could ever be this happy again, but here he was. Tonight, he planned on having a long conversation with Emma. If she felt the same way, they’d have to make some decisions about their future.

She let out a sexy sigh that he interpreted as her feeling the same way he did.

“God, Emma, this feels good.” He continued to hold her close, breathing in her vanilla and sugar scent. Forget about the cottage. He might have to take her back into the office if she sighed again like that.

“Aren’t you just the slightest bit curious?”

“Maybe a little.” He leaned down to kiss her.

“I’ll take a look for you.” She spun around and gasped.

“What is it, Emma?” He leaned over her shoulder to see what was in the bowl.

“Who is it might be a better question.” She broke from his embrace and folded her arms. “Who’s Emily?”

Jason stared into the mixture at the name written in pink cursive.

His past had spoken.

“
S
o
, Emma . . .” Abby stretched her bare legs and tilted her head up to the blue sky. “You know I love taking my dad’s boat out as much as anyone, but what gives?” She raised her hands. “It’s like the crack of dawn and the sun’s barely out. This isn’t a prime tanning hour. I could get frost bite.”

“Stop being dramatic. We’re almost there.” Emma clutched the wheel of her uncle’s motor boat, slicing the water with her determination. She was a woman on a mission. She also knew Abby would try to stop her if she told her the plan.

Emma needed to get as far off land as possible. Reaching the middle of the lake, she placed her hand on the shift, slowing the boat down to a stop. Yards away from a dock in any direction, she let out a long exhale.

“Why’d you stop?” Abby asked.

“Jason’s leaving today.” Emma turned and straightened her legs for balance. “Can I borrow your cell phone?”

“He’s leaving?” Abby reached into her beach bag and pulled out a pink-cased iPhone, handing it to Emma. “Who are you calling?”

“No one.”

“Is he going back to Miami?”

Emma nodded, fighting back tears. She pointed toward the Reynolds’s cottage. “He should be leaving for the airport any minute now.”

Abby frowned. “Then why are we out here in the middle of the lake?”

Emma reached into the boat’s ignition and pulled out the key. “So I’m not tempted to stop him.” She threw the key into the lake along with Abby’s phone.

“Emma! What the hell!” Abby scrambled up onto her feet and leaned over the boat, searching the water. “Have you lost your flippin’ mind?”

“No.” Emma laughed sarcastically. “I lost my heart, and I need it back.”

“That phone cost me a mint.” Abby put her hands on her hips. “Well, what are we supposed to do now? I don’t suppose you brought yours.”

“No. Relax. I’ll buy you a new one. Someone will come along and tow us.” Emma sat down on the boat’s built-in edge seating and brought her knees in, tucking them to her chest. “I just really needed to make sure I didn’t run after Jason and beg him to stay. He needs to leave,” she said, trying desperately to force conviction into each word.

“Well, thanks a lot for dragging me along for your bout of crazy.” Abby peered inside the cooler next to her. “See, this was premeditated.” She pulled out a small plastic cupcake container, opened it, and handed a red velvet cupcake to Emma. “Might as well have some breakfast. Who knows how long we’ll be stranded out here.”

Emma looked up and took the cupcake. “Someone will come rescue us eventually.”

“I sure hope so.” Abby leaned back, letting her arms dangle over the side of the boat. “So, what happened?”

Good question.
How could Emma fill her cousin in when she didn’t quite understand any of it herself? She peeled back the cupcake foil and bit down. Somehow, even the forbidden sweet for breakfast didn’t make her feel any better. It used to as a little girl.

“Did you two get into a fight?”

“Yes.” Emma knew Abby wasn’t going to give up until she coaxed the full story out of her. She kind of owed her cousin an explanation for throwing her phone overboard. “No. Not exactly.” She paused and let out a slow breath. “I think I’m falling for him.”

“Emma, then why the hell are we out here? You should be on land stopping him from leaving.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“Why not? You like him; he obviously likes you. You two belong together.”

Emma fought through the hitch in her throat to speak. “But the batter didn’t predict it.”

“What?”

“I should have never performed the spell in front of him,” Emma admitted. It was the stupidest idea she’d ever had. It’s just she was so sure the batter would spell her name. More than sure.

“Wait. Rewind.” Abby pulled her arms in and straightened up. “When did you do the spell?”

“Last night. After everyone left.”

“So he could do the story?”

Emma shook her head. “He wasn’t going to write it. I wanted to prove to him that I trusted him. I was sure it would spell my name.” She tilted her head up to the sky. “God, I was such a fool.”

Abby cocked a curious eyebrow. “Who did it spell? Don’t tell me it was Caitlin because I will seriously jump off this boat.”

“No. It spelled ‘Emily.’” Emma’s heart constricted at the mere mention of the other woman’s name.

“Emily who?”

“Don’t know. I thought the batter was spelling my name.” She sighed, thinking back to the moment when she saw the first two letters. How Jason had grabbed her and pulled her in tight. In his arms, she’d felt so protected and wanted . . . and happy.

If only she hadn’t turned around to look in the bowl but given in to his seduction and locked up like he suggested. They would have no doubt spent the rest of the evening back at her place in that bath he’d promised, none the wiser.

But wouldn’t that have just prolonged the inevitable? If this Emily woman was his soul mate, maybe it’s better to know now before she fell any deeper. She turned her head, no longer able to fight off the tears.

“That sucks.” Abby grabbed her beach bag and handed Emma a towel to wipe her eyes.

“Thanks.”

“So, is this Emily someone he knows?”

Emma shrugged. “I think so.”

“Didn’t he tell you?”

“He didn’t have to. It was written all over his face.” Emma cringed, remembering Jason’s reaction to the batter. His eyes had widened, and then his face fell. “And then he left.”

“Emma, you need to go talk to him. Maybe Emily is an ex-girlfriend or his dog that passed away or something.”

“No. She’s more than an ex and definitely wasn’t a dog. He looked . . .” She flung the towel to her side. “He looked utterly heartbroken.”

“Maybe he can explain. You have to at least give him a chance.”

Emma appreciated her cousin trying to help. “You know as well as I do that the batter is never wrong. Never.”

Abby conceded but then appeared to have a thought. “Maybe so, but Jason’s name appeared when I did the spell on you.”

“That wasn’t a name. It was just one letter. For all we know, my soul mate is named Jeff or Jack or James or Jim.” The thought of it being anyone but Jason smashed another piece off her broken heart.

Abby’s voice softened as she reached for Emma’s hand. “I think you should still talk to him. How do you know he’s leaving today?”

“He taped this to my door.” She reached into her white shorts with her free hand and pulled out a piece of paper. “It says that he’s going home. His flight leaves at ten a.m.”

Abby lunged for the note, taking a second to read it. “Emma, it also says he’s coming back in a week. For God’s sake, this isn’t good-bye. It’s a ‘see you soon.’”

“But he’s leaving.”

“Not forever! You threw my phone in the water and he’s coming back. Sheesh. I thought I was the dramatic one in the family.”

“So what if he returns? It doesn’t change the outcome of the batter.” Emma grimaced and looked out onto the lake, the tiny ripples led all the way to Jason’s rental car parked in the driveway. He’d be leaving soon for the airport.

“It was just a summer fling.” She sighed. “Summer’s over.”