“It’s probably an important thing to do, huh?”
“Very important. Blood is never drawn unless the doctor thinks it’s necessary.” The
sigh Sam expelled rocked his little body. “I can tell you a secret that will help
a lot, though,” she said, and his eyes held a spark of hope. “It helps if you don’t
look at the needle while they’re drawing the blood. Turn your head away. Try to think
about something that makes you happy.”
He thought for a second. “I like swimming at the beach.”
“Perfect. Think about the water, the warm sand, and how much fun you have with your
friends. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to leave.”
The tension on his face eased. “I won a rabbit’s foot at the fair last year. I carry
it all the time for good luck.”
Dani reached inside the neckline of her shirt, pulling out an amulet on a chain. “I’ve
got one too, honey. My grandfather gave this to me.”
Sam grinned. “It looks like the anchor on my dad’s boat.”
She dangled the necklace between her fingers. “It’s called the Anchor of Hope. Before
my grandfather left for the navy, he gave one to his fiancée and wore one himself.
He told me it brought him good luck because he returned home safely to her. Then he
passed it on to me.” Her grandfather had given her the good luck charm at the time
of Sam’s adoption, hoping she’d someday be reunited with her son.
She ruffled his hair, the baby-fine strands slipping through her fingers. Her arms
ached to wrap around her little boy and pull him close. “You’re a brave young man.”
“Thanks, Ms. Sullivan.”
“You’re welcome. Remember, you can call me Dani.”
Sam’s smile grew to show off his missing front teeth. “You can call me Sam.”
She laughed, then stood and turned to Matt with a scowl. “
You
can call me Ms. Sullivan.”
“I’d still like to talk…Ms. Sullivan.” The deep way he drawled out her name made her
rethink her previous statement. Maybe he shouldn’t call her anything at all.
“Come on, Dad, or we’ll be late.” Sam tugged on Matt’s arm.
“Yeah, okay, bud. I’m coming.”
“Another time, Sheriff.” Dani turned and headed toward the checkout.
…
Later that night, Matt stood outside Dani’s bungalow debating the wisdom of his visit.
It was probably past the time for a social call, but a few lights were on inside,
and he still owed her an apology.
He was about to knock on her screen door when someone inside turned on a bluesy jazz
tune and proceeded to belt out the most horrendous attempt at singing he’d ever heard.
An injured, screeching cat would sound better than the noise coming from the cottage.
He needed to put the neighbors out of their misery and maybe save Dani from a noise
complaint.
He rapped on the door. Thankfully, the warbling stopped. He tugged on his ears. The
outside light came on, and a second later Dani stepped onto the screened-in porch.
Her gait faltered a bit when she looked at him.
He looked right back. Couldn’t help but check out her incredibly short white shorts
and the black tank top that hugged her breasts and revealed enough cleavage to make
him forget his own name. Ahh, now he remembered. Matt The Degenerate Reagan.
“I know it’s late,” he said. “I saw the light, figured you were still awake.”
She moved in front of the door. “What’s going on, Sheriff? Did I break the law?” She
placed one hand on either side of the frame. “You here to frisk me?”
His pulse hiked up a notch at the image. He rubbed his itchy palms on his jeans.
She leaned in until her nose was an inch away from the screen that separated them.
Her voice deepened until it came out a sexy rasp. “Or are you going to haul out your
cuffs?”
Breathing turned difficult as an erotic slideshow played in his head. Smart-mouthed
Ms. Sullivan handcuffed to… He gave himself a mental kick in the head. Time to snap
out of it. He was here to apologize, not dig himself in deeper.
They spent a moment focused on each other, the crickets chirping in the background
as if gossiping among themselves. If he wasn’t mistaken, he’d caught a flicker of
amusement in her big brown eyes. He loved a woman with a sense of humor. And the way
she’d talked with Sam at the video store revealed a nurturing side that appealed to
Matt.
Big time.
But he shouldn’t be feeling a thing toward Ms. Sullivan. She would be gone in a few
short months. Plus someday when he settled down again, he wanted the girl next door.
Someone sweet, wholesome, and uncomplicated. Somehow he didn’t think this woman fit
into any of those categories. Unfortunately, that realization didn’t squelch the desire
to touch and explore.
“I’d like to talk to you. Can I come in?”
She paused, and for a second he thought she might turn him away. But then with a flip
of her fingers, she unlocked the catch on the screen door and pushed it open in invitation.
On the porch, the flicker of candlelight drew his attention to a coffee table arranged
between two love seats. Smooth jazz drifted from the kitchen. “Am I interrupting anything?”
“Only my rendition of ‘Fever.’”
She was alone. His breathing slowed at the realization. “Yeah, I caught a bit of that.
It was…unbelievable.”
She flashed him a grin like she was sharing a secret. “I sound just like Celine Dion
when I’m in the shower.”
He could imagine. “Something to look forward to.”
She threw him what he guessed was an in-your-dreams expression, then headed toward
the kitchen. “I’ve got to check my muffins.” He followed her through the porch into
the main cottage. She motioned to a ladder-back chair covered in light green-and-white
checked fabric. “Have a seat.”
A huge white candle in the center of the kitchen table blocked his view when she bent
before the oven, so he pushed it aside. The only electric light came from the vent
hood above the stove, and it backlit her hair, giving it golden highlights.
He cleared his throat. “I’ve heard about your awesome muffins.”
He received an eye roll for his comment. She grabbed a pot holder, cracked open the
oven door, and bent again. When her shorts rode up in back, Matt was treated to a
fantastic view of toned, tan legs. Not to mention her exquisite behind. He knew perfection
when he saw it. God help him, he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
“There’s a trick to the perfect muffins,” she said. “They need to be firm with just
a small amount of give when you touch them. If they’re not overbaked, they’ll be fluffy
and moist. Just the thought of eating one will make your mouth water.”
Touching? Getting firm? Moist? Couldn’t she talk about something else? “When you left
the parking lot at the video store, I noticed your taillight is out. I thought I should
mention it so you don’t get pulled over.”
With a sigh, Dani removed the muffins then shut off the oven. “My car’s a lemon.”
She tossed the two flowery red oven mitts onto the counter. “I swear it’s been in
the shop more than it’s been on the road.”
“Stop in at the Mobil station in town. Ask for Pete. He’ll fix you right up.”
“Okay, thanks.”
While Dani fussed over the muffins, he surveyed his surroundings. This was the first
time he’d been inside. Looking at the color scheme and the furnishings, no wonder
Jack wanted to redecorate after completion of the upstairs renovation. The place reminded
him of a dollhouse his little sister had when she was a kid.
The rooms were tiny, the walls the color of mint ice cream, and everything else was
white and frilly. He felt like the proverbial bull in a china shop. “I’ve never seen
a more girlie-looking place in all my life.”
Dani laughed as she took a seat at the table. “This is nothing. You should see my
bedroom.”
“I plan to.” He watched in amusement as her eyebrows shot halfway up her forehead.
She crossed her arms over her chest. It took all his willpower not to take in what
he knew would be award-winning cleavage.
She gave him a knowing look. “Hope you don’t think you’re getting me into bed, Sheriff.”
He smiled to cover his lie. “Wouldn’t dream of it. After the repairs are done upstairs,
I’m helping Jack repaint the inside of the cottage—your bedroom included.”
She blushed so hard, he was afraid she might develop heat stroke. “I knew that.”
“Right.”
Dani played with a few strands of hair that had escaped from the mess on top of her
head. “So what brings you by? Other than to talk muffins and bedrooms?”
“I want to apologize.”
She playfully slapped a hand on the table. “You should—the movie you recommended sucked.”
…
“No, for being an ass.” Matt smiled, but the emotion never made its way to his eyes.
Dani guessed she was about to see his serious side. Between the oven and her hormones,
the temperature in the kitchen rivaled the inside of a pressure cooker. “Why don’t
we sit outside?”
She plucked up the candle from the kitchen table and took it to the porch. After placing
it on a wicker end table, she motioned for Matt to sit on the love seat while she
took the rocking chair to his left. She sat in silence, waiting for him to say something.
He scratched his jaw, and his fingers rasped against the whiskers that were well past
a five o’clock shadow. He seemed almost nervous. “The thing is, I’ve been under a
lot of stress lately. I’m in a new job. The hours are erratic. My mother recently
moved in with Sam and me. Plus, I’ve been—”
“Horny?”
She was awarded enough of a smile to bring out his dimples. Those alone could resuscitate
a dead woman.
“I’m a guy. We spend most of our lives in that condition.” He sighed and raked a hand
through his short hair and focused his attention on Dani. “Look. The bottom line is,
I could’ve been more professional in my office. So, sorry.”
“Can you still fix my parking ticket?”
He chuckled. “Yeah. Sure.”
The fact that he’d made a special trip to apologize stepped up her impression of him
a degree. At this rate, she’d be madly in love by the end of the week. Better to be
grateful that her son had Matt for a role model…and then remember that he was Sam’s
father and well out of reach.
Since he was being honest with her, Dani wondered if she should level with him. Reveal
her identity. Problem was, she couldn’t imagine any way that would end well.
“Thanks for what you told Sam at the video store. I wasn’t sure what to say to keep
him calm.”
Now here she was in familiar territory. “I always try to be upfront with my patients.
If I sugarcoat things or I’m vague, they lose their trust in me.”
Matt smiled. “We think alike, Ms. Sullivan. It’s all about honesty and trust.”
Though his words sucked all the comfort from her, she returned his smile and hoped
she could maintain her silence at least until it was time to go.
Chapter Three
Early the next morning, Matt stood at his kitchen window drinking a cup of coffee.
Sam had an appointment with the doctor followed by a visit to the lab to have blood
drawn. The doc had indicated this was all routine, but Sam had never had blood drawn
before. Anxiety gnawed at his gut.
Matt’s mother walked in and headed for the refrigerator. “You’re up early for your
day off. You and Sam going fishing this morning?”
Matt tossed his remaining coffee down the drain. He turned from the sink to give his
mother a peck on the cheek when she moved past him, inhaling the same flowery perfume
she’d worn for as long as Matt could remember. “Morning, Mom. We’re fishing later
on. Sam’s got a doctor’s appointment first.”
“Is he sick? If you’d told me, I could have—”
“Just his yearly checkup. Everything’s fine.”
His mother opened the fridge and removed an armload of food. “I just need to fatten
him up a bit.” She carried everything to the counter next to the stove. Behind her
back, Matt studied the ceiling. He took a deep, silent breath. The answer to every
problem was food—and lots of it—according to his mother.
He had to tamp down her efforts before she made a breakfast big enough to feed the
neighborhood. “I’ve already eaten, and Sam’s not supposed to eat before his blood
is drawn.”
Shifting away from the stove, she placed a hand on her hip and pointed a spatula in
Matt’s direction. “How ridiculous. Breakfast is important. I’ll fix him some eggs,
bacon, and home fries to give him a good start on the day.”
A good lead into high cholesterol, too, but Matt figured he should keep his mouth
shut. They’d battled about food since her arrival. “Just make something for yourself,
Mom. Dr. Cooper said it’s important that Sam not have any food past midnight last
night, or the test will be inaccurate. We’ll stop for breakfast after his appointment.”
His mother released an exaggerated sigh in resignation. “Fine.” She switched on the
small kitchen TV to what he knew was her favorite morning news show. Matt took a seat
at the table to wait for Sam.
A few minutes later, Sam entered the room. He yawned, scratched his head, and plunked
down in a chair. “Do we still get to go to the cookout tonight?”
“Yeah, we’re going.”
“So we’ll get to see Dani?”
“Sure.” Sam flashed a big smile. Seemed like his boy might have a crush. “You seem
smitten with Ms. Sullivan, bud. What’s up with that?”
“What’s smitten mean?”
“It means you like her a lot.”
“I do. She calls me ‘honey.’ Nobody’s ever called me that before.”
Matt imagined her calling him honey, too—or baby—in her raspy, seductive voice. And
what would it be like to have those golden-brown eyes filled with passion and aimed
at him? A car horn interrupted Matt’s daydreams before his imagination could go into
the danger zone.
Matt’s mother lowered the sound on the TV. “You seem to be spending a lot of time
at the bungalows lately.”
“I offered to help Jack with renovations on my days off, and Sam loves to hang out
at the lake.” Although with Ms. Sullivan’s arrival, Matt thought about spending even
more time there. “One of the cottages got hit hard from the spring storm. After I
replace the roof, Jack wants to remodel.”
“According to the women at the hair salon, there’s a new young nurse in town for the
summer. They say she’s staying at the bungalows.” His mom gave Matt an exaggerated
eyebrow wiggle.
Matt stood, the wooden chair scratching against the linoleum floor. He planted his
hands on his hips and stared down at his shoes while the morning show’s theme song
filled the kitchen. She was his mother and he’d been raised to be respectful, no matter
how frustrated he was. “Don’t. I know that look in your eye, and I know what you and
your friends are capable of. You’re not going to bring her a Welcome to Lake Bliss
casserole and you’re sure as hell not going to invite her over here for dinner.”
“I just want to help. You’re the one who keeps talking about needing a wife.”
He’d love to have a wife. He believed in the ideology of marriage, of the intimacy
of sharing your life with one special person. He wanted to find a woman who’d be a
good mother. Someone to go through the ups and downs that life dished out. Someone
to make love to late at night.
His mind wandered to Ms. Sullivan—Dani. Since their first meeting, he’d spent a ridiculous
amount of time wondering about her sassy mouth, her luscious body. Was she single?
Didn’t matter, he reminded himself. She wasn’t wife or mother material. She was a
temporary woman. Just like his ex-wife.
…
The merciless barking of a dog crept into Dani’s murky brain. Who in their right mind
wouldn’t shut up a yapping animal? She shoved her silky sleep mask up her forehead.
The bright sunlight caused her to squint in order to catch a glimpse of the clock.
Ten. She groaned. Between thinking about Sam and lusting over Matt, she’d had a hard
time falling asleep last night. She’d finally settled down around five.
When knocking accompanied the barking, Dani dragged herself out of bed, then shuffled
through the cottage. Wasn’t the lake supposed to be a quiet, peaceful place? Maybe
investing in earplugs would be the way to go.
She opened the wooden door leading to the screened-in porch and took a deep breath.
The air was still humid from last night’s rain and tinged with the fresh scent of
pine trees. With hands on hips, she walked to the screen door to check out the commotion.
There sat a long-haired, black-and-white dog, tail thumping as if impatient to be
let inside. Next to the dog stood Sam, fishing pole in hand, his focus shifting between
Dani and the dog.
Her other guest was Matt in faded blue jeans and a plain white T-shirt that hugged
his broad chest. He wore a hint of a smile that messed with her breathing. Hard to
say what he was thinking. His focus shifted, sliding down her body, stopping here
and there along the way, reminding her that she was clad in a thin pink tank top and
cotton boxers. She grabbed the sweatshirt she’d flung across a patio chair, stuffed
her arms in the sleeves, and zipped it halfway up her neck.
“Morning, Dani,” Sam said.
“Hi, honey.”
He gave Matt a grin that made her think they were in cahoots together.
Matt looked at Dani. “Is he yours?”
Her stomach dropped like she’d just plummeted ten floors in an elevator. She tried
to keep the expression on her face neutral. What had happened? Why would he suddenly
think Sam was hers? But when Matt ran a hand across the dog’s head, she realized he
was talking about the animal, and her heart resumed a normal rhythm. She cleared her
throat. “No. I’ve never seen him before.”
“He isn’t wearing a collar, Dad.” Sam gave Matt a hopeful expression, the unspoken
question obvious—could they keep him?
“He might belong to one of the guests. We’ll ask around.”
“Can I take him to the beach?”
Matt glanced down by the water. Dani followed his line of vision to see Rachel and
her boys talking to a few guests.
“Sure. Ask if anyone knows the owner.” As Sam took off running with the dog at his
heels, Matt called, “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Dani unlatched the screen door and held it open. He stepped inside the porch, followed
her into the kitchen. She started the mini-coffeemaker before shifting around to face
him. He stood so close, she could see the texture of his clean-shaven skin. He looked
good and smelled even better.
“Seems like the day’s started without you, Ms. Sullivan.” His gaze lingered on the
top of her head before he took hold of the sleep mask. As he slipped it off, his finger
grazed her cheek.
She nudged his hand away. “I was up late. Couldn’t fall asleep.”
“If you want to go back to bed,” he said, leaning down to whisper in her ear, “I could
tuck you in.”
As he talked, his lips brushed the sensitive skin below her ear. His denim-clad knee
played against her bare leg when he stepped back. Her heart beat in a maniacal rhythm,
and a throbbing started low in her belly. Why did every encounter with him feel like
foreplay? “I’m sure you’re probably quite good at tucking.”
He leaned back, gave her an absurdly sexy smile. “I have a fair amount of experience.”
Her head told her to keep her mouth shut. Instead, she lowered her voice a notch.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been…tucked.”
His laugh was a deep, rich sound. She loved a man with a sense of humor.
“I like you, Ms. Sullivan.” When he retreated a few steps, she had the wildest urge
to yank on his shirt to tug him closer. “You ever gonna let me call you by your first
name?”
“I’ll give it some thought. Is that what you want?”
He leaned his head close to Dani’s. “I don’t think you’re ready to hear about the
things I want.”
…
A flash of desire shot through her eyes, and Matt wondered if there was ever a time
when she didn’t look sexy. Even when she’d first answered the door, her hair every
which way and that ridiculous sleep mask on her head, she’d been a knockout. She was
only here for the summer, but he wasn’t averse to getting to know her better during
her stay.
Dani poured two mugs of coffee and motioned to the kitchen table.
“Sam was scheduled for his blood test this morning,” Matt said, sinking into the same
kitchen chair he’d sat in last night.
“Oh, I didn’t realize it was today. How’d it go?”
He tapped his fingers on the table. “It was a breeze.”
She placed a mug in front of him, then went back to the counter for cream and sugar
before returning to the table. “Can’t wait to tell him how proud I am.”
“Better hold off on that. As the technician was prepping him, he admitted to eating
after midnight. He got up around five and had a snack. Said he was ‘starving to death.’”
Dani brought her hand to her mouth. “Uh-oh.”
“Yeah. The test was rescheduled for next week.” Matt rubbed his chest. His eyes drifted
closed and he pulled in a slow, even breath. “He wanted to know if I’d still love
him even if something was wrong with him. If I’d been stabbed in the heart, it couldn’t
have hurt worse.” He opened his eyes and focused on Dani. “I’ve never been the type
to hold back my feelings. He knows no matter what, I’ll always love him.”
Her eyes filled with concern. “Oh, Matt.” Her chair scuffed across the floor a second
before she placed her smooth hand on his arm. “I’m sure he knows how much you care.
He might be feeling insecure and just needed reassurance.”
He forced a smile that he hoped she thought was genuine. “He was probably feeling
guilty that his snacking caused the test to be canceled. Kids know how to get out
of trouble. Just spout off some sort of emotional stuff and they’re forgiven.” Matt
took a hit of his coffee. “The tech wouldn’t answer my questions. What’s so important
about fasting before they draw blood?”
“It’s routine. Food can interfere with different values.”
He nodded and let out a slow breath, thankful that she gave him perspective. He cast
a glance out the window. Sam was headed toward the cottage, the dog trotting at his
side. “If we can’t find out who the dog belongs to, do you want me to take him to
the pound?” he asked.
“No. I’m sure his owners will turn up. He’s gorgeous. I can’t imagine someone dumping
him off.”
Matt thought of his ex-wife and scoffed. “Why not? Mothers ditch their babies all
the time. Sam’s biological mother cared more about herself than her son and wouldn’t
even agree to an open adoption. So unloading a dog? Some people wouldn’t think twice
about it.”
Dani looked at the ground. She didn’t respond.
…
While Dani was in town having her taillight fixed, she posted a few flyers about the
lost dog on light poles along the main boulevard. When Matt and Sam’s quest to find
the owner had failed, she’d agreed to keep the sweet boy with her, and truth be known,
she hoped nobody would come forward and claim him. Even stopping at the store for
dog food, bowls, and a leash alleviated the sense of loneliness that had been her
companion.
Late in the afternoon, she pulled up next to her cottage. Sam sat on her stoop, the
dog at his side.
“I’ve been keeping him company while you were gone. I think he likes me.” Sam beamed.
Dani winked at him. “No doubt. What’s not to like?” She unlocked the door. Before
she could step inside, the dog dashed past her, followed by Sam. Dani hung by the
door, uncertain. Should she let him stay? She desperately wanted to, wanted to talk
to him and be near him, but this wasn’t smart. It was ill advised and could only lead
to heartache. “Are you allowed in the cottage? Doesn’t your dad need to know where
you are?”
“He won’t mind, since he knows you.”
Big laugh there
. If Matt had any idea who she was, he wouldn’t let Sam anywhere near her.
“Besides, my dad’s up there.” Sam pointed to the ceiling and retreated farther inside.
Dani stepped out into the grass, backing up until the bungalow’s roof came into view.
A shirtless Matt was perched on the slightly sloped roof. His muscles flexed and bulged
as he pulled off a dark gray shingle and tossed it over the side of the cottage. It
landed with a
slap
in an industrial-sized metal garbage bin on the ground. Good thing she wasn’t the
one on the roof. Seeing the sheriff bare from the waist up would have sent her over
the side with the shingles.
As if he sensed a hormone-crazed woman staring at him, Matt looked down and gifted
her with a smile. He gathered up some tools, walked to the far end of the roof, and
disappeared over the side to what Dani hoped was a ladder. A minute later, he came
around the corner, his T-shirt slung over his shoulder, and stopped a few feet away
from her. Trying to focus on something other than his chest, she clasped her purse
tight. The leather handles creaked in response.