A Moment on the Lips (A Whistle Stop Romance, #3) (18 page)

Java moved to his side. The dog sat down and nosed his hand. It was such a sweet gesture, so like Fudge.

Joe’s nerve started to fail him. He didn’t know if he could get through this last part. It was unimaginable, so monstrous. His stomach lurched nauseatingly as saliva pooled in his mouth. He swallowed hard.

“I...I don’t know what gave me the idea, but I walked into the living room and glanced up at the fireplace. My father’s shotgun was gone.”

“Oh no! He didn’t...”

Joe swiped a hand over his face, surprised to find it damp. “I ran outside. I’d never been so scared in my life. I was running toward the barn when there was...” He drew in a breath in his tight chest as his eyes burned. “There was a shotgun blast. How could he do it? How could he kill...”

In the next instant, Piper was there, wrapping her arms around him. No words were needed. He drew strength from her caring touch. He didn’t know how long they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms.

When he’d drawn himself together, he pulled back. His voice came out raspy. “He took away the only thing I truly loved.”

“No one at school or in town knew.”

“They weren’t supposed to. I didn’t want anyone to know what my life was like, to feel sorry for me.”

“But surely someone could have helped.”

Joe shook his head. “When I found Fudge in the barn, my father told me he didn’t need some lazy dog to take care of since I’d be gone.” His voice cracked. “He...tossed a shovel at me.”

The last words came out as a strangled whisper. Piper took his hands in hers. The warmth in her touch thawed his icy veins. Her tenderness and caring buoyed him to the present.

“After I ...um, took care of Fudge, I left, and I never looked back.”

“But where did you go? What did you do?”

“I had no particular destination in mind. I just had to get away from my father, from the pain. I ran as far and as hard as I could.”

“And that’s why you weren’t at graduation.”

He nodded. “Finals were done.”

“I’m so, so sorry. No one had any idea. I knew your father was...was a tough man, but I had no idea he could be so cruel.”

Joe scrubbed his face with his palm. “Now do you understand why the people of Whistle Stop have everything about my life all mixed up and backwards? My father doesn’t deserve their pity—”

“And you don’t deserve their condemnation. Why haven’t you ever told anyone?”

“Don’t you dare repeat what I’ve told you. It was for your ears only. Just leave the past where it is.”

“But—”

He pressed a finger to her mouth. Her lips were soft and smooth. He was tempted to kiss away her rebuttal, but he couldn’t let himself do that. He couldn’t give in to his desires. He’d done it once, and it had been for her sake, but this time...this time it’d be for him and all about what he needed. And he couldn’t let himself need Piper. It’d only lead to another painful loss in his life.

“Just leave it be,” he said. “You know, and that’s all that matters.”

Her shoulders slumped as though the argument went out of her. Java took the moment to move closer and again nudge Joe’s hand with his wet nose. For just a second, Joe had a glimpse of what life could be like surrounded by those who cared—but it would never happen for him. His heart was too damaged, too scarred.

Joe heard a vehicle off in the distance, but he was too caught up in staring into Piper’s eyes to pay it much attention. “Thank you for listening to me.”

“Thank you for sharing.”

The open honesty in her eyes tugged at him. Maybe just this once...maybe he could give in to his desires. After all, a kiss was just a kiss, wasn’t it?

“You know I’m not looking for anything serious?” he asked, wanting to set the playing field before he moved to first base.

“I know.”

She didn’t look disappointed or mad or even hurt, and she didn’t pull away from him either. Instead, her gaze dipped to his mouth. That was all of the invitation he needed.

Joe’s head lowered. His eyes had drifted closed when someone’s shouting halted his advance.

“Hey! Java!”

Piper jumped back as though she’d come to her senses, something he wished he could do. An older man lumbered toward them with the aid of a cane. “Java. Here, boy.”

The dog barked as his tail swished back and forth.

“Hello, Mr. Wilks.” Piper approached the man. “I didn’t know you got another dog.”

The man’s bony shoulders rose and fell. “When you get my age, the days get empty and lonely. I don’t have any family, so I figured that Java and I could keep each other company. It’s just, with him not being much more than a puppy, he has a lot more energy than me.”

As the two continued to chat, Joe’s mind strayed. He couldn’t shove aside his disappointment at not being able to steal a kiss. It wasn’t until then that he realized just how much he’d needed that intimate connection. There was something very special about Piper, and it went far beyond the magic she created in the kitchen.

“Isn’t that right, Joe?” Piper looked at him expectantly.

He had no idea what had been said. But he refused to show her just how distracted he’d been by the near-miss kiss. He nodded. “Right.”

The amusement dancing in Piper’s eyes and the smile lifting her lips told him that she knew he hadn’t been paying attention. It was as though they now shared some sort of special bond. Was that possible? Or was it all a product of his imagination?

“Don’t know what got into Java today,” the man said, a bit winded. “Guess he wanted his morning walk, and I just wasn’t up to it.”

The dog moved to Mr. Wilks’s side immediately, looking thrilled to see him.

“We’re just glad you caught up to him,” Joe said. “Java looks anxious to go home.”

“Probably wants his breakfast. He was so excited to go exploring that he didn’t wait to eat. Silly pup.” A deep and abiding love was evident in the man’s voice. “Ready to go home, Java?”

“Thank you, both,” the man said. “I’d be lost without Java.”

“We’re just happy we could help.” Joe gave Fudge...erm, Java one last pat on the head. As the man and dog walked away, a deep sadness came over Joe. He assured himself that it was just the lingering emotions over the story he’d told Piper. Besides, he didn’t have time in his life for a dog. He was starting up a new business, and that’s where his sole focus needed to be.

“You should consider getting yourself another dog,” Piper said, as though reading his thoughts.

“I don’t think so.”

“But why? You obviously love dogs, and if Java is any indication, they love you, too.”

“I can’t.”

“I don’t understand. What’s stopping you?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” When she shook her head, he added, “Every time I let myself care about something or someone, it costs me. I’ve lost the things that have meant the most to me.” He drew in an unsteady breath. “My father...he took away the most loyal and loving dog. The man I considered my best friend slept with my ex. And Denise, well, she took away the coffeehouse business that I started. I just can’t afford to lose anymore.”

Piper reached out and squeezed his arm. “You can’t give up on life. You have to go after the important things.”

His gaze met hers. In her eyes, he found strength and determination. He used to have both of those in spades...didn’t he? He thought so. When had he let the bad stuff start outweighing the good stuff?

Piper definitely fit in the good-stuff column. She was opening his eyes to all the things he’d closed himself off to in life. And he wanted to live a full life—he just had to learn to let down his guard.

And he would start now. His gaze zeroed in on her tempting lips. He longed to taste her sweetness, to feel connected with her on a deeper level.

His head dipped, and his lips claimed hers. She didn’t move at first, as though he’d startled her. Was this not what she’d meant by going after the important things in life?

But then her mouth moved beneath his, and her fingers tentatively touched his cheek. That small touch heated his blood and sent his heart racing. Thank goodness they were in public, because his need for her thrummed in his veins.

And just as quickly as the kiss started, Piper pulled away. Her eyes were dilated, and her breathing was rapid. The rosy hue in her cheeks made her even more adorable.

He didn’t want her to go, not yet. When he went to kiss her again, she pulled back.

“I...I have to get to work.” She headed for the bakery.

Great job, Joe
.

She was trying to help him, trying to be his friend, and he’d read it all wrong. But if it was so wrong, why did it feel so right?

A
lmost there. Just a little farther.

Piper’s legs screamed in exhaustion, and her lungs burned. Still, she just had a few more steps, and she’d make it to her destination—the town square.

She could do it. She wasn’t a quitter. It’d been three weeks since Joe coaxed her to go running. Three long, hard weeks. But she’d been consistent and shown up six days a week. Friday was her day of rest. And when she stepped on the scale the next morning, she’d thank herself for pushing herself to the limit. She hoped.

As soon as her foot hit the concrete abutment, her forward motion screeched to a halt. Maybe she hadn’t made it to the bench, but she’d said the town square, and this was definitely the edge of it. She didn’t care if she was rationalizing her tiny bit of cheating. She couldn’t run another step today if she tried.

Her stomach ached, and her head hurt. Maybe she should have had a little more to eat today than just a can of soup. But she wasn’t going to get that contrary scale to move if she didn’t keep pushing herself, restricting herself. She could do this. She’d done it once before for her now-defunct wedding.

Laney was now the bride-to-be, and a beautiful one she’d be with her willowy figure. Wedding gowns were made for people like Laney, not for someone like herself with a much fuller figure.

Who had she been kidding? The wedding was tomorrow. Piper had told herself that she’d be fine with it, and she had been until today. It wasn’t jealousy—far from it. It was more that she didn’t want people talking behind her back and sending her pitying looks because she hadn’t been able to hold on to her man.

Then again, if she delivered the cake early enough, she should be able to avoid most everyone. Speaking of the cake, she was a tad behind on it—

“You’re running again?”

The familiar male voice caused her to jump. With the town square in desperate need of repair work, not many people ventured into it. And with it being the dinner hour, most people were home with their families.

“Joe, you startled me.” She eyed up the bench he occupied. It looked so inviting.

With the hand he was holding half of an uneaten sandwich, he waved her over. “Have a seat. There’s plenty of room.”

He didn’t have to invite her twice. Her steps were slow, but she made it to the bench. She thumped down on the rough wood and leaned back. Her muscles practically hummed in relief. In an instant, any bit of energy she’d had fled her system, making her limbs heavy.

“What’s the matter? Didn’t you get enough running in this morning?” The smile that touched his eyes and softened his handsome face let her know that he was teasing.

She didn’t return his smile. She just wasn’t in the mood. In fact, she realized she hadn’t been in that great of a mood all day. She’d been hoping the run would improve her spirits, but all it’d done was make her tired and ravenous. But Joe didn’t need to know any of that.

“After the bakery closed, I just felt like some fresh air.” When he gave her a pointed stare, she added, “I thought I’d work on my time for the 5K.”

“And to think in the beginning I practically had to drag you out for a run. Now look at you, the overachiever.”

She wasn’t about to admit that the scale had stalled out on her that week. In fact, it’d crept up slightly. She was desperate to make it go back down. But she wasn’t about to share that bit of embarrassment with Joe or anyone.

He took a bite of his sandwich, and her stomach rumbled. She jerked her gaze away, concentrating on the gazebo that had yellow warning tape wrapped around it to keep people from getting hurt on the rotted wood. That was one of the reasons for the Autumn Fest. The gazebo and the rest of the town square would get much-needed makeovers. Once again, the square would be such a lovely place to hang out.

“Would you like some?” Joe held out the other half of his sandwich.

“No,” she lied. Her stomach cramped from hunger. “I’m good.”

“Doesn’t sound like it. I can hear your stomach rumbling from over here.”

The heat of embarrassment ignited in her chest and flamed up over her face. “Sorry. I’m going to grab something after I get a shower.”

“Here.” He again held out the food. “You need to eat now.”

She wasn’t going to accept it, but when she saw what it was, she couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re eating a PB&B sandwich?”

“Something wrong with peanut butter and banana?”

It was the first time she’d laughed that day, and it sure felt good. “Nope. Nothing wrong with it at all. In fact, I haven’t had one in years.”

Her hand had a slight tremor as she reached out to accept the food. Maybe she had been pushing herself a little too hard. She didn’t waste any time taking a bite. She moaned in approval. Crunchy peanut butter, too. A man with good taste.

He leaned closer. “If I’d known I could make you moan so easily, I’d have made you dinner sooner.”

Her already warm cheeks blazed with more heat. She refused to give in to her embarrassment. Instead, she decided to play along. “It’d take a lot more than food to get me to moan.”

“Are you daring me?” His voice grew deep and husky.

“Maybe.” Her gaze met his darkening eyes.

She should turn away. Change the subject. Or walk away. But she sat motionless. She was drawn into this game like a honeybee drawn to a bright red zinnia. However, when Joe didn’t respond, disappointment sliced through her. Granted, she wasn’t experienced in the art of flirting, but she hadn’t thought she’d said anything wrong, had she?