Beauty and the Beach (10 page)

“I’m serious. As a Marine, I’m expected to keep to the code and only work ultra-masculine jobs in civilian life. Jewelry making is pretty much on par with hairstyling as far as my friends are concerned.”

She stopped, faced him, and raised a brow. “My hairstylist is a man.”

“No comment.”

She chuckled and moved forward again, glad to feel so relaxed around him. Maybe they needed to get out into neutral surroundings more often. There was no doubt about it, his house was intimidating and a constant reminder of the difference in their income levels. And it seemed to underline the fact that they owed him money. “So there’s a code, huh?”

“Of course. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Everyone knows that.”

“Everyone?” she teased. She’d worked around enough Marines to know he was completely serious. She glanced at him again, only to realize he was limping. “Oh, your leg. Do you want to push the cart so you can lean on it?”

“Yeah, that’s never going to happen.”

“The Marine thing?”

“Now you’re getting it.”

She moved toward the far side of the store so she could start on the end aisle. “I usually go shopping alone.”

“Me, too. This makes for a nice change.”

“It does,” she agreed, realizing that beyond politeness, she actually meant it.

“I go after work every few days,” he said. “It’s nice to get out of the house occasionally.”

“I usually try and go once every two weeks. It seems to save money and time.” As they moved past the candy aisle, Adam stopped. She glanced up. “Sweet tooth?” she asked.

“Of course. You?”

She smiled sheepishly. “Yeah. Busted.”

As he laughed at her, she glanced at the selection. “Okay,” she said. “I'm going to guess your favorite candy bar.” She considered a moment. “I think you'll choose a Rocky Road.”

“Are you sure? Final answer?”

She faced him. “I’m sure.”

“Nope. I haven't had one of those since I was a kid.” He looked at her suspiciously. “Why did you choose that one? Because you think I’m a marshmallow?”

She laughed. “Hardly. Because of your rocky temper.”

His mouth parted. “What are you talking about? I don't have a temper.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “Are you kidding me? The nurses at the hospital take turns when you show up. Sometimes they draw straws. And you yelled at my dad.” She paused, wishing she hadn't said that last bit. Wishing she hadn't brought it up again.

“Well, you’re wrong,” he said. “I'm not choosing a Rocky Road bar. But based on your reasoning, that the candy bar labels the man, or,” he looked pointedly at her, “the woman, then you’ll pick the Bit-O-Honey because you're such a softy.”

“Yuck. I'd have to be desperate to eat one of those. Who in their right mind would pay money for a candy bar without chocolate? My turn,” she said. She looked at the candy display, then back at him. “You'll choose the Heath bar. Because you live in a castle on a cliff by the sea.”

“Heathcliff? Lame. Anyway, he didn’t live by the sea.”

“You don’t know that for sure. I bet you haven’t even read the book.”

“You lose that bet. Ninth-grade English class with Mrs. Miller. She made us read it and watch the movie. We memorized some of the lines so we could quote them to the girls in the hallway.”

“I bet that went over well.”

“It might have if we hadn’t been so melodramatic about it. Isaac in particular liked to pretend to be the crazy lady in the attic. Even I got embarrassed.”

Isabelle laughed.

“My turn. You'd choose Snickers because you're laughing at me,” he said.

“I do like those,” she agreed. “But it’s not my favorite.”

“I get another turn for being close.”

“Good try, cheater. The Three Musketeers because you’re military.”

“Nope.” He scanned the candy bars. “Your dad would choose the 100 Grand bar.”

Isabelle’s mouth fell open. She gaped up at Adam for a moment, took in his wide-eyed expression that said he couldn’t believe he’d said that, and she couldn’t help herself. She started giggling, and the giggles quickly turned into laughter as he looked relieved. And then she couldn’t stop. She finally had to clutch his arm as she shrieked, and her eyes welled with tears. “I can't--” She gasped for air. “I’m sorry. But I can't believe you said that!”

Adam was laughing too, and when a middle-aged lady pushing a cart walked by and gave them a disapproving look before reaching for a Rocky Road candy bar, they laughed harder. Finally Adam grabbed a Butterfinger and held it up. Isabelle grabbed a Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Almonds and showed it to him.

“Come on,” he said, and they both dropped the candy into the cart. “Let's get some shopping done before they kick us out.”

As they moved away, Isabelle glanced up. “Adam. I'm really sorry about the necklace. I shouldn't have laughed. You just surprised me.”

“Ah, there she is.” Adam turned, hurried back to the candy bars, then returned and threw a Bit-O-Honey into the cart. “Softy. Anyway, it’s not your fault, darlin'. Besides, if you hadn't laughed, I wouldn't like you half as much as I do now.”

As she pushed the cart forward, she couldn’t help a smile.

~~~

By the time they’d finished shopping, Isabelle’s brow was furrowed and, to his amusement, she kept throwing him panicked glances. He wasn’t surprised when she pulled the cart to the side of an aisle and stopped.

“Adam, I just don’t eat that much. It's just the two of us, and some of these things are horribly expensive. And did I mention that I just don’t eat that much?”

Adam studied the items in the cart. “I’m not eating everything all by myself, so I guess you’ll have to help, won’t you?”

“Let’s put some of it back.” She picked up a jar. “I mean what on earth can you make with capers? I don't even know what a caper is.”

“A caper is a pickled flower bud. Don't worry; you'll love them.”

“At ten dollars a can? I’m not sure I will. And the steaks are outrageously expensive. Let's put them back and get some frozen burgers or maybe some more chicken.”

“Izzy, it’s going to be fun. You’ll see.”

“Fun? What do you mean?”

Adam shrugged. “I’m all about having a good time while I cook.”

Izzy’s brows furrowed. “I'm all about thrift. Can’t we be thrifty and have fun, too?”

“I don't have to worry about money and I'm not going to apologize. Come on. Lighten up.”

“Lighten up, he says.” She chewed on her lip for a moment, then to his surprise, she looked up and smiled. “Do you know what? I like your attitude. You’re right. Let’s have fun. I intend to learn a thing or two from you. When I finally get my full-time job and my awesome apartment, then I’m going to splurge once in a while, too.”

Adam didn’t comment, but he really hoped she never left. Maybe if he spoiled her enough she never would. He’d be glad to pamper her for a long time to come. Forever, in fact.

She was looking into the cart again. “You know, since we’re spending so much on food, maybe we should put the cleaning supplies back and make our own. Baking soda and vinegar make good substitutes and we could--”

He laughed. “Your change of heart didn’t last long. Now move aside,” he grasped her by the waist and physically moved her away from the cart and took over driving. His hands gripped the handle as he pushed it along and he waited for his heart to stop thudding so hard in his chest. If touching her for three seconds had that effect on him, he was in more trouble than he’d realized.

As they checked out, he amused himself by watching her study the register as the items tallied up. She occasionally shook her head, taking a few deep breaths, but otherwise didn’t comment.

Adam pushed the cart as they left the store. Once outside, they almost ran into a matronly woman selling flowers, her dark hair streaked with gray, and her wide smile white as she held up a yellow rose. “Only three dollars. A pretty flower for a pretty lady.”

“I’ll take a flower for the lady. Izzy? Which one would you like?”

She groaned softly and shook her head. “No more, Adam. Not one cent more. My family has cost you enough money, and then the groceries.” She shook her head again.

“If you don’t let me buy one, I’ll buy even more. It looks like there are daisies, tulips, and roses. So I could purchase--”

“I’d love a rose.” She inserted hurriedly. “That one.” She pointed to a red flower.

The lady plucked it out of the water bucket, wrapped some thin tissue around it, and handed it to Izzy. She looked at Adam. “Your lady is very pretty.”

“She’s a beauty,” Adam agreed as he paid for the flower and added a generous tip.

Izzy lifted the flower to her nose and closed her eyes as her cheeks flushed a becoming shade of pink. “Thank you. It’s lovely.”

As she turned and walked toward the car, Adam pushed the cart after her slim figure, wishing she really was his lady. The thought hit him hard. He knew she wasn’t thinking in those terms. She was too worried about her father and sister and the whole situation.

It might make him a jerk, but while he had her, he was going to try to win her heart.

Chapter Six

WHEN THEY ARRIVED HOME, IZZY shot out of the car and waited beside the trunk and helped Adam bring the bags inside. Once they’d delivered everything to the kitchen, Isabelle did her best to help Adam put everything away, focusing on the items that needed refrigeration.

He stuck his head out of the pantry. “After dinner, do you want to go down to the beach? We could build a fire, or look for seashells or something.”

Isabelle glanced out the window. Who knew how long she’d be there? She’d best take advantage of the private beach while she could. “Sure. That sounds like fun.”

As she organized their purchases in the refrigerator, she admitted to herself she was feeling a little confused about what he wanted from her. She had to work hard to find anything to clean, and now he was going to be helping with the grocery shopping and cooking? Maybe he was just lonely, rattling around in this huge place. She finally decided to stop worrying about it and just enjoy the time there.

Adam got out a cutting board and a knife. “I always chop the onions and green peppers and freeze them for later use. That way I can just pull them out when I need them.” He grabbed the small bag of onions, plucked one out, and started slicing off the top layer.

“Do you want me to do it?” she asked.

“I’ve got it.” He started to chop the first one in rapid strokes clear up to his fingertips.

“Be careful, that knife looks sharp.”

As she watched, mesmerized by the quick chopping motions, he glanced up and grinned at her, then flinched. He jerked his hand up and stared at the blood welling on the tip of his middle finger, disbelief etched on his face. He glanced at her and laughed. It finally got Isabelle moving.

She grabbed her purse, pulled out a Band-Aid, and rounded the kitchen island. Ripping a paper towel from its roll, she reached for Adam’s hand. He lifted it high and a few drops of blood hit the front of his blue shirt.

“It’s fine. It’s just a nick. That’s what I get for showing off.”

Isabelle held out her hand. “Let me see it. Now.”

“I haven’t seen this controlling side of you before. It’s cute.”

“It only comes out when I see blood.”

“Ooh. So you’re part vampire?”

She grabbed hold of his wrist and pulled his hand close to examine the cut. “If I told you I’d have to kill you. And drink your blood.”

Adam laughed. “I’ve been warned.”

“Don’t get mouthy. I’ve trained for years to do this.” The cut was small, but she took him to the sink and made him wash his hands with soap, drying his finger with a paper towel. She then applied pressure for a minute or so. Standing so close to him, holding his hand, the inside of her arm flush with his, had her heart fluttering. His nearness seemed to affect her breathing and made her feel slightly weak and vibrantly alive at the same time. What was happening to her?

When she let go and checked the cut, she was relieved to see he wasn’t bleeding anymore.

“I told you. Just a nick.”

“Good to know your professional opinion.” She put some antibiotic ointment on the bandage and wrapped it around his finger.

When she looked up she realized how close he was. The warmth of his hand permeated her own, making her very aware of him.

“Thank you,” he said, his slightly husky voice making the hairs on the back of her neck rise.

She nodded. “You’re welcome.” She finally released his hand and stepped back.

“I’m going to go change my shirt before you go crazy over the bloodstains.” He winked at her. “Then I need to find some gloves so I can finish this,” he tilted his head toward the vegetables and headed out of the room.

She was finally able to breathe, and when the doorbell rang, she hurried out of the kitchen, glad for the excuse to collect herself. She answered the door without checking through the peephole and immediately regretted her lack of caution. Mrs. Gilroy stood there, a large smile on her face, with a possessive hand on the arm of the gorgeous woman standing beside her. Tall, brunette, and beautiful, she wore a knockout red summer dress, trendy platform sandals, and lots of bling. The woman looked as if she’d just stepped out of a magazine.