Wish Upon a Wedding (13 page)

So, if Carrie Ann didn't want a key or didn't want to stay over at his place more often, who gave a rat's tail?

He sure as hell did,
was the immediate answer but he tried to ignore it.

Easton drove over to Sully's telling himself that he was going to pull back from being so damned serious. He and Carrie Ann enjoyed each other's company so why mess up a good thing by handing out keys and thinking about a future? And who needed to go on a cruise anyway? He'd probably get seasick. No, he needed to go on his regular golf trip with the guys this spring and go on his usual fishing excursion in the fall. He'd never felt this kind of misplaced anger with Carrie Ann when they'd just been friends. “Shoulda left it that way.”

Easton pulled into Sully's and parked next to Avery's truck. He firmly told himself not to bring any of this up with his nephew who was having enough problems of his own to contend with and didn't need to hear about his uncle's silly drama.

Because it was early, Sully's was fairly empty with just a few of the early regulars sitting around the main bar nursing drinks and talking about random things. Knowing they needed some privacy, Avery was sitting at a high-top table far enough from the bar to keep their conversation to themselves. Easton sat down on the stool, gave Avery a nod, and then took a big drink of the stout that his nephew had waiting for him.

“Uncle Easton, what's wrong?”

“Nothin', just thirsty.”

“Right. You look like you just hooked an eight-pound bass that got away. You wanna talk about it?”

“Naw.” Easton shook his head. “We're here to talk about when Ashley showed up at your lunch with Sophia.” He popped a peanut from the snack mix in his mouth without much interest.

“That can wait,” Avery insisted. “Dinner with
Sophia won't be until late, anyway. She just sent me a text a few minutes ago that said she has a meeting with a potential client in a little while.”

“That salon of theirs is coming along,” Easton said, trying to head in a positive direction.

“Sure is. Weddings are big business these days. Zoe and Mom are going crazy with all of the plans. Who the hell knew you had to have a big photo shoot so you can send out postcards to tell everyone to save the date? Like we're all gonna be so busy here in Cricket Creek on the day they get married that if we don't put it in our planner months in advance, we'll forget.” Avery shook his head. “Most everybody we know already knows the date.”

Easton took another swig of his strong ale, hoping to mellow out a bit more. “True enough.”

“Of course, I had a taste of wedding drama with Ashley,” he said, but instead of the pain Easton usually saw on Avery's face all he mustered was an indifferent shrug. “All I cared about was where we were going on our honeymoon.”

“I think most guys still feel that way. But as you know I've never given gettin' married any thought,” he said, but then out of nowhere an image of Carrie Ann in a wedding dress popped into his brain. He shook his head thinking his emotions were all over the damned map.

“So, anyway, I've got plenty of time. Shoot.”

Easton rolled his shoulders, reminding himself that he didn't want to get into this discussion. He sure as hell liked talking about other people's problems more than his own. Getting serious caused problems. He should have known better.

“You know what you tell me goes nowhere,” Avery urged, looking a little bit hurt that Easton wasn't opening up to him.

“Okay, well . . .” He inhaled a deep breath and said in a rush, “I offered a key to my cabin to Carrie Ann.”

“Oh wow, that's huge for you. Was she happy about it?”

“Well, no, she didn't act too enthused about it at all.”

“Oh man . . . Uncle Easton, I'm sorry. Maybe you just took her by surprise.”

“Maybe.” Easton shrugged. “I know it's not right, but now I'm kinda mad at her. And I know I'm not bein' fair with my reaction and that makes me pissed off at myself. Almost makes me want to just stay here and get my drink on. I don't like my boat to be rocked.”

“But it's gonna be rocked now and then, Uncle Easton. That's part of bein' in a serious relationship. Part of bein' in love.”

“Who said anything about bein' in love?”

“You know you're in love with her. You just haven't admitted how you feel to yourself.”

Easton remained silent and searched around for a sesame stick in the snack bowl. “Think so?” He already knew so but admitting it to someone else was scary.

“Well, yeah, otherwise you wouldn't be so damned upset about the key thing. But I guess denial is easier to deal with.”

“Sure doesn't seem that way.” Easton scrubbed a hand down his face suddenly feeling tired. He took a swig of his ale. “Nope, I've decided that I'm gonna back way off. Stop seeing her so much and get back to things being easy instead of complicated.”

“Is that what you really want?”

“Am I bein' charged for this session?” he asked, tapping his fingers on the table.

“This first one is free.” Avery chuckled. “But you're dodging the question. Think about it while I go get another beer. You want one?”

“No, these are pretty strong. I'd better nurse this one. Gotta drive home. You should too.”

“I can walk to Sophia's from here if need be or she can swing by and pick me up. You know me better than that.”

“I know, I'm just testy as all get-out.” Easton nodded. “All right, go getcha one. I'll be sittin' here brooding in my beer.”

“Okay, I'll be right back.”

Easton looked around at some of the guys coming in after work. Pool games and darts started up. The jukebox came to life. Pinball machines pinged and blinked. Easton used to stop in Sully's a couple of times a week and soon his softball league would start having practice. He played basketball in a men's league down at the local YMCA. When the weather warmed up, he'd golf or maybe bass fish on the weekends, depending upon his mood. He was a regular diner at most of the local restaurants and made it a point to go to Wine and Diner on nights when Carrie Ann ate there, usually shooting the breeze and then popping on over to Sully's to listen to music or have a beer or two. They shared breakfast at Walking on Sunshine Bistro, lingering over coffee. He loved her company, there was no doubt. She always had him laughing in no time flat. And the sex was, well, phenomenal.

But still, he was used to coming and going as he damned well pleased. And so was she. Maybe they were both too set in their ways to make this serious stuff work. The thought made him frown.

Avery returned to the table and sat down with a bowl of freshly popped popcorn. He swung his long legs over the stool and sat down. “Okay, now where were we?”

“We were about to talk about your lunch with Sophia when Ashley showed up.”

“Uncle Easton . . .” Avery shook his head and scooped up a handful of popcorn. “Come on, now.” He popped a few kernels into his mouth.

Easton blew out a sigh. “All right, I was thinking that maybe I'm moving too fast and don't want to give up my freedom.”

“Right and that's why you're planning a vacation
and handing out keys. She hurt your feelings. Like I said, it's gonna happen now and then.”

“I know I'm being unreasonable and that's why I shied away from serious relationships to begin with. Avery, what if we argue? Shout at each other? I'll be done. Can't take one minute of that crap.”

Avery shoved his fingers through his hair and eyed him for a moment. “All I'm seein' is you arguing with yourself.”

“What do you mean?”

“Maybe you should just be honest with Carrie Ann and tell her that you love her.”

Easton felt the bottom drop out of his stomach. Right, then she'd really flip out.

“Have you ever told a woman you loved her, before?”

“Nope.” Easton took a swing of his ale wishing he had another one under his belt. A shot of tequila was sounding pretty good. “Don't know that I've ever been in love,” he said, but realized that wasn't true. He'd loved Carrie Ann for a long time. Even though they'd not so much as even held hands up until recently, he'd still loved her.

“Maybe she needed to hear those three little words before you offered a key to your cabin to her.”

“Oh . . . shit.” He hadn't thought of it that way.

“Exactly.”

Easton leaned against the back of the stool. “I guess I messed up.” But the thing with his mother and father is that they yelled and screamed at each other, and then would make up and say
I love you
, get all sweetie pie with each other until the next big fight or sometimes even at the end of a big blowout. Which is why Easton never put much stock in those three little words and never used them. How could you scream and yell and call it love?

Avery leaned forward. “Do you love Carrie Ann?”

“Yeah. I do.” There was no use in denying it to Avery.

“Then maybe you should let her know that little bitty detail.”

Easton's heart thudded at the thought. He knew they would eventually have disagreements, but hopefully not fights. He would never raise his voice to Carrie Ann. He was pretty sure she wouldn't yell at him. And dammit, she deserved to be told that he loved her. “You're right, kiddo.”

“About what part of it?”

“Everything. All of it. Carrie Ann needs to know how I feel about her. No more putting the cart before the horse.”

“Sweet. I think that's a really good plan of action.”

Yeah, unless she doesn't say it back. “Now, let's hear about you. That's why we came here in the first place. So, did seeing Ashley get to you?”

Avery nodded slowly. “Yeah it did, but not in the way that you might think. She was sort of rude to Sophia.”

“Jealous, I suspect.”

“But Ashley was never like that before. Took me by surprise.”

Easton shifted in his seat not knowing if he should speak his mind.

“What?”

“Well . . . I always found her to be a little self-centered, Avery. I couldn't say it then, but I can be honest now.”

“Really? Why didn't I see it?”

“When you love somebody you can overlook their faults or try to explain them away. You're just so good-natured that you didn't always pick up on it. I guess like the old saying says, ‘love is blind.'”

Avery raised his eyebrows. “Wow, I never really thought about that.”

“I think Zoe is the same way. She's so easygoing that she lets Ashley run the show most of the time.
Why do you think Zoe is trying so hard to get you and Ashley back together?”

“Mostly because Ashley wants it?”

Easton pointed his index finger at Avery. “Bingo, my boy. So go on with your story.”

“Well, for the longest time, seeing Ashley would make me feel, I don't know . . . anxious, sad, sometimes angry or hurt. But this afternoon I didn't really feel, well,
anything
other than upset that she was rude to Sophia. As a matter of fact, I kind of forgot that she was even in the restaurant after she left us.”

“A breakthrough if I ever heard one. And I'm guessing it's because you only have eyes for sweet little Sophia.”

Avery nodded. “I'm fallin' for her, for sure.”

“Why do I hear a big
but
in that statement?”

“Well, because I loved Ashley, Uncle Easton. I mean I trusted . . .” he began but clamped his mouth shut.

Easton leaned forward and said in a low voice, “And that's why you couldn't believe that she could cheat on you.”

“How did you know?”

“I didn't.”

“Well, I walked right into that one. That wasn't really fair of you to do.”

“No, what isn't fair is that you're taking the heat for something she did and now has the nerve to try to get you back. And if Zoe knew . . .”

“Aw man, it would just devastate Zoe and mess up her wedding plans. You see where I'm coming from? It's one of those no-win situations.”

“I do.” And it really pissed him off. He took a swig of his beer and thumped it down.

“Please don't say anything to anyone. I promised Ashley that I wouldn't tell.”

“You know I won't. I pretty much had it figured out
anyway.” He popped a peanut into his mouth, thinking how horrible that had to be for Avery. “Can I ask you somethin'?”

“Sure.”

“Did you ever really feel about Ashley the way you feel about Sophia?”

Avery looked down at the table and frowned. After a few moments he looked over at Easton. “No, there's just a gentle sweetness about Sophia that touches me in a way I've never felt before. I'm at ease with her and the girl can make me laugh like no other. And seeing Sophia and Ashley together at River Row Pizza made it even clearer to me.”

Easton thought about how Carrie Ann made him laugh. “It's the best medicine and that's for damn sure. So what are you gonna do?”

“Once this wedding is behind me I need to let her know how I really feel.”

“I'm gonna toss your advice right back in your lap. Why wait?”

“As usual, you've got a good point,” Avery replied, but Easton could see some lingering apprehension in his nephew's eyes. Ashley had done quite a number on him. He guessed the old “once bitten, twice shy” was coming into play. At last, Avery said, “I guess you're right.”

“I was wrong once and then it turned out I was right.”

Avery laughed. “So you
were
wrong once.”

Easton laughed along with him. He was so glad that Sophia had decided to stay in Cricket Creek. She and Avery made the cutest couple. Yes, she just might be the girl who will mend Avery's broken heart.

We've Only Just Begun

C
arrie Ann looked down at the silver key in the palm of her hand and swallowed hard. She'd been standing there on the front porch of Easton's cabin for about five minutes but had felt odd about letting herself inside. Maybe she'd just stand there until Easton arrived and pretend she just got there? Then again, the breeze up on the ridge was getting stiffer and she sure could use a glass of wine. But did she help herself and open a bottle or wait for Easton? Did she start puttering around in his state-of-the-art kitchen and try to learn how to use some of his newfangled gadgets?

What if she broke something?

Carrie Ann stared at the key, wondering if accepting his gesture was such a good idea after all. Were they moving too fast? After squeezing her fingers over the cold metal, she closed her eyes. This was stupid. By all rights, she should be over the moon that Easton had offered her the key with an open invitation to come and go. And having a selection of clothing and toiletries at his cabin would be so much less stressful than lugging her things over here each time she came for a
visit. Getting dressed in the same outfit the following morning had a slight walk-of-shame feel to it.

But then would Easton soon go a step further and ask her to move in with him? Okay, she adored the cabin and wanted them to spend more time together during the week. But her house up in town was the only home she'd ever lived in. She could walk to A Cut Above, Grammar's Bakery, Wine and Diner, the park, or anywhere else she wanted to go. She just couldn't see herself ever moving, or heaven forbid, selling her home to someone else. That house held memories of her father. She could never let it go.

Could she?

Carrie Ann's heart thumped around in her chest at the thought. But then again, what would it be like to wake up every morning in Easton's strong arms? Drink coffee out on the back deck? Sleep in on the weekends or stay up late making love? Hot damn, the man knew his way around a woman's body . . . her body. And who knew that she could be so uninhibited after so many years of being celibate? And at her age? In truth, she never knew a man's touch could feel so good.

The very thought of making love to Easton made Carrie Ann feel warm despite the cool breeze blowing her carefully arranged hair across her face. She really needed to go inside and put the potatoes in the oven and the salad in the fridge. And she needed to pee.

And yet she stood there wondering if she had the nerve to go to her car and get the extra clothes and makeup she'd brought to leave in the closet and bathroom.

What if Easton someday asked her to . . .
to marry him
?

Could she give up her home? Change her name? Could she give up her independence and not have a place of her own to go to if she wanted to escape? Carrie Ann knew that Easton wouldn't give up the cabin
and his magnificent view to live in her little brick house in town.

Dear God, should she toss the key into the woods and run like a bat out of hell? Well, putting it back under the mat would be more sensible, but she was starting to have a bit of a panic attack. Maybe she should run into the woods too!

And run where? Back to her empty home? Was she clinging to something that could be healthier to give up? Carrie Ann closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing down. Losing the father she'd love so dearly was the deepest pain she'd ever experienced and she never wanted to feel that kind of despair again. “But running away in fear isn't what Dad would want for me,” she whispered. Opening her eyes, she stood up taller, felt inner strength stiffen her spine. “I will not cave in!”

With a little growl of frustration at her silly self, she hurried over to her car and took the tote out of the trunk and put it on the porch next to the food. Before she could start another series of worries and doubt, she slid the key into the lock and opened the front door.

Flipping on the recessed lights, Carrie Ann stopped and inhaled a deep breath. The cabin smelled of pine and wood with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon. She took determined steps into the kitchen and put the covered dish of salad into the fridge and began to preheat the oven for the giant potatoes. With equally determined steps, she went back out to the porch and hefted the tote bag over her shoulder with her extra stuff. With her heart pounding she lugged her things into the master bedroom and flicked on the light in the huge walk-in closet.

And there it was . . . a big space created on the left for her to hang her clothing. The sight was so touching that it brought a lump to her throat. With her hand to her chest, she stood there for a moment and looked at the metal rod ready for her things.

And when she hung her feminine attire next to his masculine clothing she took a step back and managed to smile. “There, that wasn't so hard, now was it?” She'd brought a few bras and panties along with a brand-new black lace teddy that she planned to wear sometime soon.

As promised, he'd cleared out a drawer in his dresser and she put her satin and lacy lingerie there. The massive bathroom had lots of extra space for her toiletries . . . and oh, it smelled of his soap and aftershave. Easton's spicy masculine scent caused a tingle of anticipation. She looked over at the big open shower stall and recalled when they'd soaped each other up and made passionate love against the wet wall while being pelted with warm water.

“My, my, my,” Carrie Ann said with a long drawn-out sigh. If they lived together would they grow tired of each other or would the magic wane after a while? She glanced at her flushed face in the big mirror and decided that she would never say no to making sweet love to sexy as all get-out Easton Fisher. “Well, would you just look at my hair?” she mumbled, and then frowned. “Mercy . . .”

“I think your hair looks just-out-of-bed sexy.”

Carrie Ann yelped and looked in the mirror at Easton. “You scared the living daylights out of me!”

Easton leaned one shoulder against the doorframe and laughed. “I know. It was damned funny.”

“You didn't have to sneak up on me. I am in the bathroom, you know.”

“The door was open. And I called your name but didn't get a response so I came lookin' for ya.”

Carrie Ann tried to glare but ended up laughing instead. “My mind might have been elsewhere.”

“Like where?” When Easton crossed his arms she had to admire the sexy bulge in his biceps.

With a sideways nod toward the shower stall she said, “Remembering what we did there.”

“We can re-create that memory later if you like.”

“I'm sure I would like to,” she replied, and was glad that he didn't mention the key or her clothes just yet. She wanted to keep things light and playful and not think about the future right now. “I need to put those potatoes in the oven to bake.”

“And you need a glass of wine. I bought your favorite and a bottle of white if you're in the mood.”

“Oh, I'm in the mood all right.”

Easton chuckled. “Good. So am I. All I have to do is take one look at you.” He shook his head. “No, I take that back. All I have to do is think of you, Carrie Ann.”

“You're such a charmer.”

“I'm being completely honest.”

Carrie Ann felt a warm glow of happiness that he was learning her favorite things and thought of her throughout the day. He popped in the salon with fresh flowers at least once a week or brought her lunch if he was working in town and she was too busy to leave the salon. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.”

“And what do you need, Easton?” When she arched an eyebrow he gave her a slow smile.

“I think you know the answer to that question.”

“Say it.”

“You.” A moment later he had her pressed up against the wall giving her a kiss so hot that she wouldn't be surprised if the mirror steamed up. Big strong hands, callused from hard work, slid beneath her blouse and stroked her back. She felt her nipples tighten in response to his kiss, his touch, and she pressed closer wanting to feel the hardness of his arousal pressing against her mound. She loved how he tasted and the stroke of his tongue against her sent a jolt of desire so potent that she moaned.

Easton pulled his mouth from hers and said in her ear, “I think dinner can wait.”

“I think you're right,” she said, and caressed the steely hardness straining against his jeans. She found the buckle of his belt and laughed when all she could do was fumble with it.

“Need some help?”

She chuckled low in her throat. “I need you naked.”

“We both seem to be needy tonight.”

“I've thought about you all day. Nearly nicked the ear of one of my customers when my mind wandered to doing this . . .”

“Oh wow.” Easton laughed. “Are you telling the truth?”

“I am. You're going to have to stop by the salon from time to time so I can get a little nooner now and then.”

“Or we can make love in the morning before you go to work,” he said.

Carrie Ann nodded but felt a little jolt of alarm and she stiffened. He must have felt it because he pulled back and cupped her chin in his hand.

“Carrie Ann, I . . .” he began, and for a heart-pounding moment she thought he was going to tell her that he loved her. “I think we need to get dinner going and get open the wine. The steaks need to come to room temperature.” He gave her a light kiss on the lips and took her hand, tugging her forward. “I'll turn on the fireplace and we can relax and listen to some music while the potatoes bake.”

“Sounds like a plan,” she said, and was surprised by the pang of disappointment that gripped her heart. Maybe he wasn't going to say it, she reasoned. And if he had . . . would she have said it back?

“Maybe a soak in the hot tub after dinner and then back here to finish what we started?” He tilted his head back toward the bedroom.

“I do believe that you just described the perfect night.” Carrie Ann smiled at Easton. She suddenly wanted to tell him how she felt. Why wait for him to
say it? “Easton, I . . .” Her heart hammered and she felt a little light-headed.

“Are you okay, darlin'?” He stopped walking and gave her a look of concern.

The words were there.

In her brain. On her tongue. From her heart.

“I love . . . being with you.” Her smile trembled.

Easton dragged her against him. “Carrie Ann, I love being with you too. I was serious. When I'm not with you, I'm thinkin' about when I will see you again. You're a dear friend and an amazing lover. Being with you is my favorite part of the day.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “And my nights too. When you're not with me I feel as if something is missing.”

“Oh, Easton, I feel the same way.”
I love you.
Just say it!
She inhaled a breath but the words stuck in her throat.

“Good because there's something I've wanted to ask you.”

Her heart hammered but she could only nod.

“Why don't you go have a seat on the couch? I'll go get the wine and we'll sit by the fire. Then we can talk.”

“Okay,” she managed to say and walked over to the butter-soft leather couch. She sat down and stared at the flames of the gorgeous gas fireplace. Absently, she thought that the logs looked so real that if Easton hadn't told her she would not have realized that the stack of wood was actually a fake. The embers glowed and the whole thing came to life with a remote. Easton also had a remote for the overhead fan, television, and music. Carrie Ann shook her head and looked up when Easton approached.

“What are you shaking your pretty head about?”

“Wondering how you keep all of your remotes straight. I have trouble enough with one and even now it takes me forever to find the
MUTE
button.” She took a sip of the wine, knowing she was rambling, but she was so nervous wondering what he was going to ask
her. To move in permanently? “I remember when we had three television channels and had to walk over the ugly orange shag rug to turn the dial on the TV.”

“And everything went off the air at midnight.” Easton chuckled as he sat down. “Funny thing is that when we had those three channels there always seemed to be something on that I wanted to watch. Now I've got hundreds of channels, most of which I don't find one bit interesting.”

“I hear ya on that one.” What was he going to ask her?

“But I've always loved tools and gadgets.”

“Did you always have a knack for fixing stuff?”

“Yeah.” Easton took a sip of his wine. “It came in helpful, because I also had a knack for breaking things.”

Carrie Ann couldn't stand it any longer. With a thudding heart she put her wineglass on the coffee table and shifted to look at Easton. “Weren't you going to ask me something?”

“Yes.” Easton cleared his throat. “Carrie Ann . . . I'd like to take you on a nice vacation this coming summer.”

“Vacation?” His offer took her by surprise.

“You know, that thing where people pack a suitcase and go someplace fun for a week or two? Take a break from work?”

“I know what a vacation is.”

“Really? When was the last time you took one?”

“I went to visit my mother in Naples a few months ago.”

“That was a
visit
, Carrie Ann. I want to take you someplace exotic and . . . fun. We can do whatever you want to do. A cruise? An all-inclusive resort? Hawaii? Europe?”

“Out of the country?” Her eyes widened.

“We will need passports, but yes, if that's what you want. Anywhere your little ole heart desires. I've been doing some research with Pete Sully's travel agent.”

“You have?”

“Yes. You work your tail off. I want to take you somewhere where all you have to do is relax. So, what do you say?”

Carrie Ann smiled. “I think that's pretty much an offer I can't refuse.”