Slow Summer Burn: A Loveswept Contemporary Romance (8 page)

“Why the hell not? Make that two,” Cole said.

Andy gave a nod and pulled two frosty glasses out from a fridge underneath the counter. “How’s work going?” he asked, pouring the first glass. “Hold that. Forgot I was talking to the cop and the G-man. Ah, well. Tell me what you can.”

“Keeping the peace,” Cole said. Everyone in town knew they were intensely focused on the drug problem, but Cole knew better than to talk, and he knew full well that Val wouldn’t, either. In fact, Val liked listening to
other
people talk, figuring out what made them tick. It was one of his greatest pleasures, and it sometimes meant that instead of participating in a conversation, he was analyzing it. Unfortunately, some people took it as rudeness or shyness. It
wasn’t either.

“Yeah, I know what’s going on,” Andy said, placing the other glass under the tap. “Folks are getting pretty antsy around here, wondering what’s going to happen, and when the incidents are going to stop.”

Cole sighed heavily. “It’s been tough to get on top of it, that’s for sure. Seems like every week we have one or two new cases of dealing—way up from even six months ago. We’re doing our best, though.”

“I know you are. As always, if I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”

“That’s great. Thanks, Andy.”

Andy finished filling the glasses and placed them on top of the bar. “Here you go.”

“How much do we owe you?” Val asked, pulling out his wallet.

“These are on the house, guys.”

“Appreciate that, Andy,” he said.

“My pleasure. Can’t deny it’s nice to have two lawmen in the bar, even on a slow night.”

“Thanks, man,” Cole said.

They picked up their glasses and headed to a corner table so Cole could sit with his back to the wall. True to form, Cole went for the seat in the corner, and Val took one to his left side. Then they relaxed, sipping their beers in companionable silence.

“This stuff’s not bad.”

“Nope,” Val said.

“I like the Shipyard better, though.”

“This one’s hoppier.”

“Yeah. That’s what I don’t like about it.”

Val grunted. To each his own. “How’s talking to the shrink going?” he asked.

“All right. I hate spilling my guts.”

“Julie’s worth it, though, right?”

“For her, I’d do just about anything, so yeah, it’s worth it,” Cole said, mouth tight. “Still doesn’t make it easier—figuring out the man I am … or the man I think I am.”

“A good man.”

Cole snorted. “Hardly.”

“Someday you’ll be able to see what everyone else sees. And by the way Julie’s working
her magic on you, I bet it’ll be sooner rather than later.”

Cole just grunted. “You can’t go all Dr. Phil on me without letting me in on what’s up in your life. And you can start by telling me what you’re doing on Thursday night that’s so important you’re contemplating missing out on the prep work for Seb’s new restaurant.” Then he took a deep drink of beer.

“Cameron Stahl,” he said. “And before you give me a lecture on why I’m no good for her, save it.”

To his credit, instead of running his mouth like he usually did, Cole merely swallowed and leaned back in his seat. He was quiet for a long time. When he finally spoke, his voice was low.

“I’m not as curious why you’re no good for her as I am in why you
think
it.”

“Because she’s Cameron Stahl.”

He hadn’t spoken sarcastically, but Cole got what he was saying. “That’s the biggest bunch of bull I’ve ever heard.”

Val shrugged. “The truth is, she
is
too rich and too young, but I can’t stop thinking about her.” She was the first woman in a long time he’d felt that way about. Maybe the first woman ever.

“You want truth? Let me tell you truth. You’re a man who spends his life worrying about other people’s crap instead of dealing with his own. Who puts everyone else first—his mom, his brothers, hell, even his country. Who works on his days off, just to make sure that when he’s on, he does a perfect job. Who goes out of his way to encourage his brothers to pursue their dreams, even while deferring his own. Who saves every penny he doesn’t need to live so that if God forbid one of his brothers should need it, he can provide for him.” Before he had the opportunity to even think about how Cole had found out about his secret bank account, Cole kept going. “Who’s sacrificed everything he has for his family and who should damn well start thinking about himself now instead of waiting until it’s too late.” Val opened his mouth to say something, but Cole held up his hand to indicate he wasn’t finished. “You spent your youth trying to make us into men. And you succeeded. It’s not even a question as to whether you’re worthy of Cameron Stahl. In fact, I wonder whether
she’s
worthy of
you
.”

And with that final pronouncement, Cole drank the rest of his beer in one long swallow. Val didn’t say a word. Carefully, Cole placed the empty glass on the table and turned to look him
dead in the eye. “You heard what I had to say. It’s up to you to believe it.” He looked around the tavern. “I need another drink.”

Cole unfolded himself from his chair and walked stiffly back up to the bar. Stunned into silence by what his brother had said, Val couldn’t believe how far they’d come, as brothers and as men. Cole had been the hardest hit of the four of them when their dad had died, and after a childhood of hell-raising, he’d spent the rest of his life trying to make up for what he’d done. A couple of years ago, Val had actually turned down a prestigious transfer to the DC office just to make sure Cole was on track after returning from Afghanistan. Now, he knew it had been worth it. This might just be the proudest day of his life.

Cole gestured at Andy, holding up two fingers with his good hand. Glancing down at his own glass, Val realized he’d drunk almost his entire beer without realizing it. Another beer sounded about right. Good thing he wasn’t planning to head back to Boston until tomorrow afternoon.

When Cole came back to the table armed with two fresh brews carefully positioned in a big hand, Val accepted his with a nod and a smile.

“I really appreciate what you’re doing,” he said. If someone had told him even a few weeks ago that his little brother would be giving him life lessons at the Rusty Nail, he wouldn’t have believed it.

Cole merely blinked and sat down. “Compared to what you did for me over the years, it’s a drop in the bucket. Just remember what I said. And if that means going after someone you think is out of reach, all I can say is, you’ll never know unless you try.”

Chapter 7

At five o’clock on Thursday afternoon, Cameron was ready to call it a day. She and Anna had worked double-time to complete the inventory and order the latest items. They were both drained, and Cameron made the executive decision to close the store a bit early.

Cameron was putting the trash into a nearby Dumpster when she heard a door opening. She glanced down the alley to see Julie Kensington emerge from her office halfway down the block.

Julie smiled and lifted her own trash bag. “Great minds think alike.”

Cameron laughed and went to greet her. “How are you doing?”

“Well,” she said, dumping her trash into the bin, “I have a light workday tomorrow, which is good, because I’m sure that after tonight, I’ll be exhausted.”

“What’s going on tonight?”

“Cole and his brothers are getting together to help Seb get his new restaurant ready in time for Saturday’s grand opening.”

“Really? Are
all
his brothers going to be there?”

“I think so. From what Cole told me, the place needs a lot of work—work that Seb hasn’t had the time to put in because he’s been dealing with the taping for his new television show.” She shook her head. “Anyway, the guys asked us to join in—Lexie, Avery, and I are all heading over there later.”

“I see.” Cameron knew the other Grayson men, and liked them—mostly because they made her friends happy—but she wasn’t truly sure how they viewed her. They’d always been polite, but now that she’d gotten involved with Val—well, as involved as one kiss made them, anyway—she’d begun to wonder what they
really
thought of her. Did they think she was a hardworking shop owner or some pampered princess? For the first time, she realized their opinions of her actually mattered.

“Cole’s coming to get me in a few minutes, and then we’re going back to our place to change.”

“How are you settling in there together?”

“Nicely, thanks,” Julie said. “I’m glad he decided to move in with me instead of insisting that we purchase a place of our own. Or worse, asking me to join him on Val’s houseboat. Not that Val wasn’t generous with Cole when he let him live on the boat while Cole got situated in Star Harbor—he was,” she said quickly. “In fact, Val wasn’t even there all the time, given that he works out of Boston. But the boat isn’t huge, and it was a tight squeeze when all of us were on it together.” She smiled. “So, what are your plans for tonight?”

“First a walk,” she said, realizing the second the words came out of her mouth that it would be a good thing if she relaxed before she met up with Val.
If
she met up with Val. “Then dinner. Maybe.”

“Have fun!”

Cameron said goodbye, then headed back inside. Anna had finished at the register and was packing up her bag.

“No one’s coming in between now and six. Let’s close up.”

Anna gave a nod and did as she asked. Cameron took one more glance at the front room, then gave Anna the all-clear. “Everything looks set. Have a great night, Anna.”

“You, too!” Anna grabbed her tote bag and slipped out the front door.

After locking up, Cameron drove five minutes back to her cottage to change. Going up the well-groomed gravel driveway of the Alcott estate gave her ample time to admire the grounds, but she always looked forward to that first glimpse of her own little place. The shingled cottage was set apart from the main house by several thousand feet and a wooded copse. Boughs of wisteria wound around a trellis over the front door. In the back, there was a small porch overlooking the water, and best of all, it had a private beach.

The estate itself was gorgeous. Originally built in the 1920s, Hermione Alcott and her husband had purchased it from the original owners several decades ago. When she had time, Cameron enjoyed exploring the beautiful landscaping. In fact, it was at one of Hermione’s parties at the estate that she began to consider Star Harbor as a prime place to open her second shop. The town was making a comeback in a big way, and she was savvy enough to realize she might be at the front end of it. Now that more and more celebrities were visiting the Cape, and famous chef Seb Grayson was opening a restaurant in town, she was beginning to think her choice had been inspired.

And speaking of the Graysons, why hadn’t Val told her he had another obligation that
evening? She couldn’t imagine that he’d want to be anywhere but helping Sebastian get ready to open up his new restaurant. Guilt flashed through her at the thought that she might be keeping him from something more important. The thought of him blowing her off never crossed her mind. He was a man of honor, someone whose moral compass pointed due north. And though she didn’t have much experience, she knew that what she felt with him was real—and deep. Every time she remembered the touch of his lips, strong and firm, she grew warm all over again.

Why did that man affect her so much? The one kiss they’d shared had shaken her to her core, and not just because it had felt good. It was because she’d wanted it, with every fiber of her being. Wanted to feel his rough hands on her. Wanted to feel that devastatingly physical attraction again. That was what made her feel more alive than she’d ever felt before.

She didn’t have his cell phone number; he hadn’t given it to her—just kissed her and walked off, as if they already knew each other intimately. Nor did he have hers. Or her address. But somehow, she knew he was going to find her. And when he did, she’d be ready.

“Did I do it right?” Val asked, examining the tall reception desk he’d just assembled. He turned his head sideways and checked it out in the late-day sunlight. “It looks right.”

He was just outside the old schoolhouse, the place where Seb planned to open his new restaurant in two short nights. Classic rock blared from an open car window. All around Val were various pieces of half-finished furniture and both closed and empty cans of paint. He’d taken a look inside the building before starting on this project, and the joint was a wreck. The walls were painted, but they apparently still had to be stenciled in a different color. Packing material covered the floor. Nothing was hung on the walls. And he didn’t even want to get started on the state of the kitchen.

His younger brothers and their women had all stepped up to the task. Lexie was leading the charge with the stenciling, Julie and Avery assisting her. Cole was planning to paint the signage out front and Theo was starting in on the tables. Seb was in the kitchen with Jorge, his sous-chef from Helena, Seb’s famous New York City restaurant, along with some other line chefs and new hires, doing a rundown with them for opening night. Val shook his head. If this place came together on time, it would be a miracle.

Just then, Seb came out of the building and draped an arm around his shoulder. Seb was Theo’s identical twin and had the same black-as-night hair and green eyes. Seb stood a couple of
inches taller than Val, and though his work wasn’t heavily physical, he was in good shape. As usual, he wore dark clothes—a black T-shirt and pants. “Well done. Thank God you and Theo know how to put together furniture.”

“Don’t tell me you can’t,” Val asked, incredulity in his voice.

“It would have taken me twice as long,” Seb admitted. “But Professor’s the fastest. He always reads the instructions. You don’t.”

“Yeah, well, there’s that. I usually just go by intuition.”

“Thanks for coming out tonight. There’s no way I could be ready to open up on Saturday without your help.” Seb glanced over at Theo, who was peering at a piece of wrinkled paper—the instructions, no doubt.