Resisting Her Rival (5 page)

“It’s the key to the house I’m renting while I build my home. I’ll write down the address. You can stay the night, and I’ll withdraw some money for you tomorrow so you can get back to Texas.”

Eunice took the key, clutched it in her hand, and whispered, “Will you help me talk to Kathleen? I want my family back, even if things are never made right between you all and John.”

“I can’t make you any promises at the moment. I need time to think.”

Eunice nodded, then asked, “Have you heard from your brothers lately?”

“We keep in touch. Elliot’s coming into town to stay with me for the Fourth of July Festival.”

“Does he still blame me for not believing him when he told me what John was doing?”

“I don’t know,” Nick said even though he knew Elliot did. “Look, we can talk tonight, okay? That’s all I can promise for now.” He slid from the booth after Eunice nodded .

Taking money from his wallet, he walked to the register and handed it over to pay his grandmother’s bill.

Any time he thought of his father, his gut felt the same way his skin did the summer he’d gotten road rash. He’d stolen—and then lost control of—his brother’s motorcycle. He’d gone on that ride in an attempt to exorcise memories, but the only thing he’d done was lose some skin and a whole lot of pride.

When he went into the kitchen, he saw Abby leaning against the steel table while she cut vegetables. She laughed at something one of her sisters said, and Nick’s heart did a funny leap. He didn’t know why when he looked at her it made him feel so out of step. All he knew for sure was that once with her was never going to be enough for him.

She spotted him and straightened, the laughter disappearing. She gave her sisters a warning look he didn’t understand. “You ready to go?” she asked.

Was he ever
.
He wanted nothing more than to take her hand and disappear to a room somewhere to blot out everything but the two of them. “Whenever you are,” he managed to say.

Through the circle windows on the swinging kitchen doors, he watched Eunice make her way slowly toward the diner’s entrance. He worried about her state of mind, how frail she seemed. “Hey, Ann, will you make sure my grandmother gets to my place safely?”

“You want me to give her a lift over there?”

“Might not be a bad idea. She’s distracted and probably shouldn’t drive.”

“Got it. I’ll go catch up to her.”

Ann left, and Nick waited while Abby gathered her purse and then searched for the car keys. When she finally found them, she had a smug expression on her face that could only mean she’d been up to something.

“Did you go see Oscar after all?” he asked as they headed to the door of the diner.

“No,” she said in wide-eyed innocence.

Nick pushed open the door and waited for her to walk out ahead of him. His mind ran through a dozen possibilities of what she could have done. “But you did something.”

“I did.”

Nick could tell she was practically beside herself with glee. “What did you do?” He followed her to her car.

“You know how Oscar loves his little pug.”

Nick nodded. Oscar was well known for his love of all things furry and four-pawed. He’d donated a lot of money to the rescue shelter and had been instrumental in helping it find permanent homes for many of the animals.

“I simply made a phone call and had a basket of goodies delivered to his pug, Rambo. Oscar was touched that someone thought of his pet.”

“Damn,” Nick muttered and sent her a sideways look. “Does he have any more animals?”

Abby shrugged. “Why would I tell you?”

“You wouldn’t want the basket for the pug to inspire envy in his other pets if he has them, would you? Canine and feline envy isn’t pretty.”

Abby laughed. “Think you can top that basket?”

Nick smiled and reached out to trace the outline of Abby’s ear. “I think I can, and I know you can’t one-up this one.”

She ducked away from his hand and got into the car.

Once Nick was settled in the passenger seat, Abby guided the car onto the interstate and merged with the traffic. “What can’t I one up?”

“Oscar’s a lonely man. Always wanted to marry but could never find the right woman.”

“You’re going to find Oscar a
wife
?” Abby said.

“Not a wife per se, and I’m not revealing my battle plans.” Nick leaned over and looked at the speedometer. “You’re only doing fifty. Everyone’s blowing by us like we’re sitting still.”

She shrugged. “Car won’t go any faster. Of course, if I could buy the building I want, and not a more expensive one, I could afford to replace it.”

Nick retreated to his seat. “How about I buy the building and give you a car as a consolation gift?”

“You getting that building is a million to one shot,” Abby said firmly.

“Funny. I would have said the same thing about you and I sleeping together, yet that happened. I’ll end up with the building and in a relationship with you.”

“I don’t think so.” Abby exited from the interstate and headed into downtown Summerville. “A couple can’t live on sex alone.”

“For the sake of science, don’t you think we owe it to ourselves to do some further studies on that?”

After backing the car up, Abby parked in front of a loading dock at the restaurant supply company. She gave him a look that caught him off guard.

He raised his eyebrows as understanding hit him in the chest like a hammer. “You want me.”

She picked up her purse and slid her finger along the strap. “Yes, I do,” she said in a sultry voice that made Nick think of standing on that balcony, looking up at the stars while behind him Abby pressed kisses along his back.

Before Nick had time to complete his mental fist pump at her admission, she added, “But I want the building more.”

After she got out and slammed the door behind her, Nick watched her hips swing with gentle grace as she crossed the parking lot toward the business office.

He took a second to collect his rampaging thoughts and calm the junior member of the team. Knowing that she wanted him and had come clean about it was going to make it a hell of a lot harder to keep his focus on what was best for his business. Nick stepped out of the car, and his steps faltered.
Wait a second
. Unless losing his focus was
exactly
what Abby had intended to happen.

He caught up with her. “Nice try.”

She grinned at him. “Saw through that one, did you?”

“You’re better than I expected, I’ll give you that.” He opened the door for her.

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” she said.

“It’s not going to work, so you can stop swinging your hips like that to get me to notice you.”

“I wasn’t swinging my hips. I was walking.”

“Well, can you do it in a less sexy manner?”

“I could try. Want me to stoop, grunt, and drag my knuckles along the ground? I mean, it works for you.”

“Ouch. I wasn’t trying to insinuate anything. It’s just that you have this way of walking…I… Never mind. There’s no way out of this one.”

Abby shrugged and then greeted the guy who talked about her supply order. Nick noticed the other man kept moving closer to her with every other word he uttered. Poor sap. He understood the pull. It was chemistry, and the pull was as strong as a moth to a flame.

Abby’s lips curved into a smile, and she turned her head slightly to send a wink his way.

Forget the moth. The pull was more like an insect flying into a bug zapper.

Chapter Five

When they arrived back at the diner, Abby immediately began to unload. She must have been crazy to think she could be in close proximity to Nick and ignore the urge to run her fingers through his dark hair. Ignore the urge to kiss him, to trail her hands up the sides of his arms and across his chest.

She reached for a box, and Nick nudged her arm with his. “That one’s heavier. Hand it to me.”

“I’ve been carrying my own supplies for a while, you know.”
And I don’t need a reminder of how strong your muscles are.

“Maybe, but while I’m here I can pick my knuckles up off the ground and take the bigger load.”

“I didn’t mean to insult you,” Abby said, trying to hide a grin. She loved that he had a good sense of humor.

“Sure you did. I wasn’t offended.”

Abby darted ahead of him to open the diner’s rear door. “And I wasn’t offended that you noticed my sexy walk.”

Nick dropped the boxes and leaning his arms on them, said, “I didn’t say sexy. I was simply— Ah, you’re teasing.”

“Sorry. I get a little silly when I’m tired.”

“You want to go home and let me finish up?”

“No, I never leave before a job is done.” She moved across the kitchen and switched on the radio. “I crank up the music, get my second wind, and it helps distract me.” Music had been a big help each time she’d gone through a trying time. The lyrics in the songs often said what she hadn’t been able to define.

A fast-paced song began playing, and Nick walked around the box to put a hand on her waist. “Come on. Let me show you how to dance.”

“What makes you think I want to dance with you?” But she did want to, even though she knew it was a terrible idea.

He paused, hand in midair. “Who wouldn’t want to dance with me? I’m bringing sexy back.”

That’s definitely not debatable. Is he ever bringing sexy back
. “Dancing in the middle of the kitchen, surrounded by paper goods, is sexy?”

“With you, everything is sexy.”

“No wonder you have a reputation.” She slid her hand in his.

“That wasn’t a line.” He spun her around in a circle and dipped her low. “Do you want to come back to my place and see my renovations? Now that would be a line.”

Abby felt light-headed when he brought her up again. In his arms, the heat from his body warming hers, she knew one word, one slight move, and she’d head in a direction that she shouldn’t go. “Thanks for the dance, but I really do need to take care of this stuff.” She waved a hand at the boxes.

“Our song isn’t over.”

“We don’t have song.” She turned away and could have sworn she heard him mutter under his breath that they would have a song someday.

…

After she finished putting up the supplies and straightening the diner, Abby went home, showered, and settled into her favorite recliner. She rested her head against the back of the chair and picked up the remote to switch off the television. Every bone in her body ached because she’d deliberately pushed herself to the limits in an effort to wear Nick out. It hadn’t worked.

Her plan to exhaust him had come back to bite her. She’d thought if he were physically tired, he’d be mentally tired and his defenses would go down so she could persuade him to let her buy the building. But spending the day with Nick, watching him work hard, had spun all sorts of ideas and wants she knew better than to entertain. None of them had anything to do with the building.

Never had a man turned her head the way he did. But surely that was simply a physical reaction.
Those never last
. She comforted herself with the thought. Eventually the spark would fizzle.
Sure it will.
Maybe by the time I’m my grandfather’s age.

The doorbell rang, and Abby rose to open the door.

Chad and Amelia stood on the porch arm in arm, her sister with a wide smile on her face.

“Come in,” Abby said, stepping back. “You two look happy. What’s up?”

“We’re going to have a baby,” Amelia blurted out.

Abby cried out in delight and hugged Amelia, then Chad. “You’re okay with the suddenness of this?” Abby asked him, remembering his initial reluctance to marry, much less have children.

“I’m more than okay with it,” Chad said, sounding happier than she’d ever heard him.

From behind them, Ann poked her head in the front door while juggling a box of her best-selling chocolate truffles. “Hey, you said to meet you here, Ame, so here I am.” She passed the truffles to Abby. “Granddaddy’s on his way. I think he went to pick up Henry. What’s going on?”

“I’m pregnant.” Amelia repeated the news.

Abby turned away from their joy and delighted chatter, tamping down the pang of hurt she felt. “Anyone for a slice of cake? I think there’s some of that chocolate one left.” She quickly disappeared into the kitchen and put the box of truffles into the refrigerator. Though her sisters teased her about it, she liked her chocolate cold.

“Okay, what’s wrong?” Ann asked. “I saw the look on your face when Amelia told me she was pregnant.”

Abby started. She hadn’t realized her sister had followed after her. Pasting on a smile, she said, “It’s nothing.”

Ann pulled a chair away from the table and took a seat. “Bull.”

“Let it go, Ann.”

“What’s wrong, sis? We’re not children any longer. You don’t have to protect us.”

Setting a stack of saucers onto the counter harder than she meant to, Abby said, “My protecting you and Ame was for your own good. I wanted the two of you to be carefree. After losing our parents, you both had dealt with enough. What’s wrong with me wanting to keep the drama out of your lives?”

“Nothing except you’ve never stopped protecting, never stepped out of the parent role. Never let go of thinking you know what’s best for us.”

“We should be celebrating. Are we really going to discuss this right now, Ann?”

“Yes, we are. You have to stop looking out for everyone else and look out for yourself. I’m fine. Ame is fine. Granddaddy is fine.”

“It’s a big sister thing, looking out for you and Ame.”

“I realize that,” Ann said, getting up to take out forks. “But you can’t prevent bad things from happening, no matter how much you try. And you can’t push a great guy away just because you were married to a bad one.”

“I don’t want to argue with you about my life, Ann.”

“Who’s arguing? I’m only saying it’s time that you set yourself free.”

“I am free.” Abby took a deep breath, trying not to feel annoyed by her sister’s accusations. She knew Ann meant well. “I’m doing what I want with my life. I’m buying that building and planning on expanding. Then—”

“You
think
you’re free from the past, but you haven’t moved on. What about a relationship? Specifically, with Nick? He seems like a really good guy.”

Groaning, Abby put a hand on her forehead. “Did Granddaddy put you up to this?”

Ann laughed. “No, seriously. He didn’t. But answer the question.”

“You two hiding out?” Amelia asked as she entered the kitchen.

“Abby was going to tell me about her relationship.”

Amelia glanced at her sister. “You’re seeing someone?”

“No. I’m not in a relationship. Ann is nagging me to start one.”

“Did Granddaddy tell you to ask her that?” Amelia looked at Ann.

Abby laughed despite the inner turmoil she felt. “I asked her the same thing. I am perfectly content with my life as is, so you two can get off my case. I don’t need a man to make me feel happy.”

“Speaking of, how is Nick?” Ann asked.

“He’s trying to weasel away the chance for me to buy the building by finding Oscar a girlfriend.”

Amelia laughed. “That’s kind of brilliant.”

“I know. Wish I would have thought of it,” Abby said with a grumble.

“Has he found a woman yet?” Ann asked.

Abby thought back over the conversations she’d had with Nick throughout the day. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Then what are we waiting for? If anyone knows who’s available in town, it’ll be Granddaddy. He’d love the chance to be involved in this.”

Abby debated. It felt a bit hypocritical to ask him to act as a matchmaker for someone else when she’d told him to butt out of her own love life. But if she got the building, she could deal with a little hypocrisy. “Okay, go see if he and Henry are here yet. If he is, get him and we’ll make a list. I’ll start setting things up after I get done working with Nick tomorrow.”

When Amelia ushered Noah into the kitchen, Abby explained what she wanted. To her surprise, Noah adamantly refused. “I told you I’m finished with meddling. If you want any matchmaking done, I’m not your man.”

Abby was so sure that Noah had planned to meddle between her and Nick that she gaped at him. “Not meddling isn’t like you.”

Noah swiped a finger full of chocolate frosting from the side of the cake and popped it into his mouth. “I’ve turned over a new leaf. Right, son?” he asked Chad as he wandered into the kitchen.

“I don’t know about that.” Chad hugged Amelia’s waist and then nuzzled her neck. “I know that I’m not sorry he meddled.” He moved his head and gave his wife a lingering kiss.

“Get a room. Some of us are trying to eat,” Ann complained as she cut herself a slice of cake.

“What’s got you in a twist?” Noah asked with a frown.

“I think I’m developing an allergic reaction to all things Cupid,” Ann said.

“She needs a man herself. I think she’s envious,” Abby said.

Ann gave Abby a dark look when Noah swiveled his head toward her.

“Ann, I do know someone. Lee McCarthy has a son about your age.” Noah searched the pocket of his shirt. “I think I have his number in my cell phone.”

Covering her grandfather’s hands with hers, Ann said firmly, “I don’t need to be set up on a blind date. I’m good. Okay?”

When footsteps sounded in entryway of the kitchen, Abby said, “Hi, Henry.”

The older man entered the room, his smile wide. He swept his fedora from his head and pulled out a chair. “So we’re gonna be great-grandpas,” he said with a slap on Noah’s back.

“Speak for yourself. I was already great,” Noah quipped, and everyone laughed.

Abby admired the long friendship between Henry and her grandfather. The two had become friends in their youth and had weathered the deaths of both of their spouses as well as each having lost a child.

There were deep family roots in the town. It was one of the things Abby loved about living in Sweet Creek.

When the phone rang, Abby excused herself into the living room to answer it. As soon as she did, Oscar started talking in a rapid, excited voice, and then he abruptly stopped and asked if she’d mind stopping by.

“I’ll be right there.” She hung up and went to tell her family she was stepping out for a few minutes.

“Going to Nick’s?” Ann asked with a this-is-payback grin, and the kitchen fell silent.

“Oh? You and Nick?” Henry asked, darting a look at Noah that Abby couldn’t read.

“No, Oscar asked me to come over.”

“He’s too old for you,” Noah said. He dropped a wedge of lemon into a glass of sweet tea, stirred it, and set aside the spoon.

Abby sighed. “I’ll be back.”

“Mind if I tag along?” Amelia asked, disengaging from Chad’s side.

“Me, too,” Ann said.

Abby motioned her sisters toward the door, and they all walked out into the still, hot evening. The landscape lights lit a path along the pavers that were wet from the sprinkler. Abby waited until the water arced away from them, then hurried to the spigot against the house and shut off the water.

“I love the smell of summer. Freshly mowed grass, sweet watermelon.” Amelia closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. “I look forward to it every year.”

“Soon you’ll be looking forward to pickles and ice cream. Swollen ankles. Feet you won’t see for months,” Ann said.

“You will, too, when the time comes,” Abby said. “I hear Eric comes from a big family, and he wants the same. I see lots of kids in your future.” She paused to pick up a pinecone from the walk and toss it out of the way.

“Get a new crystal ball, sis. That one’s way off the mark,” Ann muttered.

“We can take my car,” Amelia said.

They got into the car, and Abby ran her hand over the smooth leather. “I can’t believe you, miss always-drives-a-flashy-sports-car, picked a Volvo.”

“It’s a good, safe vehicle,” Amelia said.

Abby looked over her shoulder at the backseat and caught Ann’s eye. “Our adventurous sister has been replaced by a clone.”

“Must have been. She walks around all the time looking ridiculously happy and strangely content to be in one place,” Ann said.

“Since I stopped running from what was right in front of me, I am happy. Happier than I ever dreamed I’d be,” Amelia said. She started the car and adjusted the air conditioning vent.

“Good for you.” Abby yawned and rubbed the back of her neck.

“Abby, if you stopped running from Nick, you could smile as widely as Amelia,” Ann said with a snicker.

“She’s right. After being married to the Dementor, you deserve happiness,” Amelia said.

“Married to the what?” Abby looked at her sister.

“Sorry. Harry Potter reference.”

“Dementors suck the happiness right out of everyone,” Ann added. “Doesn’t that sound like your ex?”

Abby laughed, then sobered. “I prefer to remain focused on the future.”

“With Nick?” Ann leaned up to massage Abby’s shoulders.

“I didn’t say that,” Abby said and sighed. “I plan to remain happily single. I don’t need a man.”

“Not even to…” Ann took a breath and lowered her voice, “Mow your grass? Clean out the garage?”

Abby laughed again. “I can hire someone if I really want to.”

“Oh! Like that Rent-a-Hunk site. You pay to rent a good-looking guy, and he’ll come do chores for you, even in his underwear,” Ann said.

“I saw that.” Amelia laughed. “The cost was like two hundred an hour.”

“At that price, I think I could hire him for all of ten minutes and that’s it,” Abby said.

“Why pay when you could have your own hunk for free?”

Shaking her head, Abby said, “I keep telling you both, I’m not interested in Nick.”