Fool for Love (26 page)

“I didn’t call anyone,” Jayce said, moving in and crowding up the threshold. “Your boyfriend did.”

“What?”

“Adam showed up early to check on you and the property. He was worried because of last night’s storm. Apparently there was wind damage at the Spruce Lake Lodge.”

Very close to where Adam lived. “Was he okay?”

“Get dressed and you can see for yourself. He’s walking the grounds, looking for damage beyond the shed.”

Probably regretting his offer to invest in her ill-plagued B and B. She’d have to give him an out. He didn’t deserve getting dragged into her financial woes.

She realized suddenly that Jayce was staring and in a heartbeat absorbed what he’d really meant when he’d said,
Get dressed.
Last night she’d peeled off her soaked boxers and tank and pulled on clean, dry underwear—lace-trimmed boy shorts and a sheer cotton cami. She was practically naked. She willed herself not to blush or to grab the chenille robe hanging on the back of her bathroom door. She decided to let him drink his fill of her long, toned legs, taut stomach, and full breasts. She worked hard to keep fit, especially since she’d been blessed (or cursed, depending on her mood) with a generous bustline and booty.
This is what you’re missing!
her mind screamed, a warped message, since she was the one who’d sent him packing in the first place.

“And he’s not my boyfriend,” she blurted while squeezing toothpaste onto a brush. “Just a
good
friend.”

“With benefits.”

Was he jealous? Judgmental? She couldn’t tell. But the longer he stared, the more she ached. Intimately.
For him.
Panicked, she rinsed her mouth, then, without making eye contact, finger-combed her messy blond waves. “If you’re not going to leave,” she snapped, “make yourself useful and brew some coffee.”

In the blink of an eye, Jayce nabbed her hand and pulled her roughly against him.

She nearly died from the feel of his hard muscles, the proximity of his gorgeous face. When his mouth brushed her ear, she suppressed a lusty groan.

“Keep pushing, Dash,” he said in a low, threatening voice, “and you’ll be sorry.”

“Problem?” asked another male voice.

Adam.

“No problem,” Jayce said in an even tone, then stepped back and wordlessly brushed past the other man as he left the room.

Now
Rocky blushed. From head to toe. In her barely there underthings.

Adam moved forward and regarded her with injured eyes. The first indication that he actually
did
harbor tender feelings. “Are you and Jayce—”

“No. I know that looked bad, but—”

“You don’t owe me an explanation, Rocky. We’re just fuck buddies, right? No strings.”

Her stomach cramped. Everything was falling apart. Her dreams. The property. And now her secret but stable relationship with this generous and terrific guy who’d never been anything other than kind and supportive.

“Adam—”

“I’ll be outside. The shed. There’s a slew of people headed over to help.” His disappointed gaze raked over her skimpy attire and she knew he was thinking about her in Jayce’s arms and thinking the worst. “You might want to get dressed.”

*   *   *

Instead of skimming the clouds, Chloe spent the morning driving through puddles. First in town, when they’d made a stop at Oslow’s, then later, as she navigated a lush valley in order to get to Rocky’s B and B. The thunderstorms had abated, but the evidence of torrential rains and heavy winds was aplenty. Downed branches, overturned lawn furniture, partially flooded roads. Apparently lightning had wreaked havoc, too. Specifically, zapping the tree that had felled Rocky’s shed.

Chloe felt awful about that, as if the woman didn’t have enough problems already. It warmed her heart knowing family and friends were pulling together in a big way. Even though it was a Friday, a common workday, apparently several people had committed to an all-day cleanup, including Luke, Nash, Sam, Devlin’s friend Jayce, and a friend of Rocky’s named Adam. Leo was also making an appearance along with Monica. Also dropping by to lend a hand a few people Chloe had yet to meet—two female cousins and three senior members of Cupcake Lovers.

Daisy had asked Chloe to stop at the grocery to stock up on food in order to contribute to the smorgasbord everyone would pick on throughout the day. Apparently, in addition to cutting away the tree and salvaging what they could of Rocky’s gear, they planned on erecting a new shed. Being from the Midwest, Chloe equated the affair to a barn-raising event. She’d only been to one and could still remember the overwhelming sense of community.

Day by day, the longer she was in Sugar Creek, the more she embraced small-town living. Although it wasn’t just the town. It was the Monroes and their extended clan. It was being included in a family rescue mission and being able to meet up with Monica any time she wanted. She not only saw more of her best friend; they talked on the phone more often, too. It was about being invited to participate in the Cupcake Lovers’ recipe book project even though Tasha had made it clear she wasn’t an official member until she’d attended a month’s worth of meetings and contributed to at least two charitable functions. Until then she was a
guest consultant
in charge of formatting their proposal. Fine by her.

Last, it was about being attracted to a man who, although obsessed with work, put family problems first, going so far as to fly to another state to settle a disagreement with his dad. Even though there were assorted personality issues and varied crises, getting drawn in and tangled up with this old-fashioned yet unconventional family filled Chloe with a sense of wonder and joy.

“I’d give anything to belong to a big, awesome family like yours,” she said, thinking aloud while noting a sign advertising
The Red Clover Bed-and-Breakfast—2 miles ahead.
Like most everything in this region, the sign looked like a remnant of the 1800s.

“Stick around long enough,” Daisy said, “and you might get your wish.”

Chloe glanced from the passing scenery—dairy farms, apple orchards—to the woman wearing bib overalls and blingy cat-eye glasses. “I’m afraid to ask.”

“Obviously, Devlin’s crazy about you. If that doesn’t work out, maybe we can match you up with Sam. He’s a good man and though he’s set on courting Rachel, you saw how
that’s
going.”

“I’m trying to figure out which one of those bizarre comments to address first.”

“You don’t think my grandson’s crazy about you? Then what were you two doing fogging up my back windows?”

Chloe focused on the narrow road and rolling hills. “Let’s not go there.”

“All right then, let’s talk about Sam.”

“I’m not attracted to Sam and he’s not attracted to me. A girl knows these things. Trust me. Not an ounce of zing.”

“But there’s zing with Devlin?”

Enough to light up the Manhattan skyline.
“I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t mention last night to the family,” Chloe said. “I mean it was sort of … embarrassing.”

Daisy snorted. “Only because you got caught.”

She smiled. “Only because we got caught.”

“I won’t mention it. Not on purpose anyway.” The older woman shifted in her seat. “Sometimes things just pop out.”

Chloe sensed an opening to pry into Daisy’s state of mind and health and carefully wiggled in. “Why do you think that is?”

“Part of growing old,” she said with a shrug. “Loss of memory. Lack of focus. The mind starts to go. Among other things.”

Chloe was pretty certain that was a broad and not wholly accurate generalization. She’d known a few seniors whose minds were as sharp as tacks and who, through daily exercise, remained physically fit. One of her favorite teachers at the culinary institute had been in his early seventies and spry and smart as a whip. “I read somewhere that crossword puzzles and other brainteasers help to keep one’s mind strong,” Chloe said. “I think vitamin supplements help, too. Although I’d have to research—”

“Ginkgo biloba. Been taking it for years.”

“Anything else? Other medications, I mean.”

“Lots of medications. For various, sporadic ailments,” she elaborated, though not enough. “Part and parcel of aging. Not that you have to worry about that anytime soon.”

“Maybe not. But I do worry about
you.
”

Daisy reached over and patted Chloe’s arm. “That’s sweet, but don’t. Believe you me, I’m enjoying what’s left of this life.” Before Chloe could comment, the woman pointed out the front window. “Look at all those cars. We’re late for the party. Punch the gas, kitten.”

Chloe noted the Red Clover, a sizable Victorian home with a wraparound porch and a magnificent view of a not-so-distant tree-covered mountain. Her first impression was,
Beautiful, remote, and in need of a paint job
. But other than that, even as she tried gearing up for working and socializing with the people who’d already arrived, Daisy’s words monopolized her thoughts.

I’m enjoying what’s left of this life.

As if she knew the end was near.

Chloe prayed heart and soul Daisy was wrong.

TWENTY-FIVE

Once they’d toted all the groceries inside the Red Clover, Daisy hunkered down in the kitchen with her friends Ethel and Helen, telling Monica to give Chloe the nickel tour, since Rocky was outside with “the boys.”

“It’s really amazing, what she did with the place,” Monica said as she led Chloe toward the central sitting room.

Behind them, laughter flowed from the kitchen, and Chloe relaxed, suppressing her concerns about Daisy’s enigmatic statement about life. Probably she only meant it as the cliché it was. Life is too short. Live life to the fullest, and such. Maybe, no, most likely, that was why she’d been throwing caution to the wind, cramming in as many thrills as possible. No matter how old you were, you never knew when it could all end. Chloe’s own mom had died at thirty-five. So many unrealized dreams. One of the reasons Chloe had always followed her passions no matter where they took her, no matter how brief the experience. No missed opportunities. No regrets.

Although, in hindsight, she could see now that some of her choices had been made out of fear:
What if this opportunity never comes again? What if I wait or say no, only to die tomorrow?

Chloe shook her head. She’d never had that thought before. Why now?

“Earth to Chloe.”

“What?”

Monica frowned. “I was trying to give you a heads-up about the situation out back, but you were zoning.” She sighed, “What a mess,” then whisked Chloe into the downstairs guest suite.

Snapping to the present, Chloe took in the eclectic décor, somewhat surprised by the romantic element, given Rocky’s tough-as-nails persona. “I’m sure the men will have that tree cleared away in no time,” she said, admiring a hand-painted armoire that just
had
to be a creation of Sam’s.

Monica shook her head. “I don’t mean that. I mean Rocky. This really knocked her for a loop. Generally she’s a rock. Today? Totally stressed out. I swear I saw her hands shaking.”

“She’s probably worried about the cost of replacing the shed and the damaged gear. You heard her at dinner last week. Business is down. Has been for a while. Diminished income, yet she’s been shelling out to repair and replace appliances.”

“And now her Jeep’s in the shop,” Monica said. “Leo’s scrounging for the best deal on a few parts so he can essentially build her a new engine. He can’t work for free, but he’s trying to cut her a break.”

Chloe smiled at her friend. “You’ve got a good man.”

Monica smiled back. “Yes, I do. Hoping we can say the same for you someday soon.”

Chloe opened her mouth, closed it.

“What?”

“I shouldn’t.…” Chloe shook her head as her thoughts centered on her own situation. “Now’s not the time. I feel bad about being so…”—she grappled for a word that didn’t sound immature—“… happy when Rocky’s so … miserable.”

Monica shut the guest room door and leaned against it, ensuring Chloe couldn’t get past her. Her eyes sparked with curiosity. “Spill.”

Alone with her best friend, the only person who knew everything about her—good and bad—it was all Chloe could do not to break into a silly dance. “Devlin kissed me.”

Her friend looked disappointed. “I know. In J.T.’s. It was awful in an orgasmic kind of way.”

“No. Last night. In the backseat of the Caddy, and it was …
incredible.
” She briefed Monica on the nocturnal liaison without sharing graphic details, which meant she pretty much told her everything. “He said when he gets back we’ll pursue this and I said, ‘Okay.’”

“You did?” Monica pushed off the door and jammed a hand through her pixie cut, making the shorter layers stand on end. “Wow.”

“I know, I know. I’m on the rebound and this is probably a really bad idea for several reasons. But I’m living in the moment and going with that
Mr. Right Now
premise.”

“I’m not judging, Chloe. I think this is great. I’m just … surprised.”

“From the first moment I plowed into him at Oslow’s there was this … spark. And then an itch. No matter how much we scratched or resisted, it wouldn’t go away. Then when he called me this morning from the airport…” She trailed off, feeling like an idiot for rambling.

“Oh … my …
God.
” Monica gawked at Chloe as if she were an alien. “Are you in
love
?”

Chloe’s hand flew to her racing heart; her eyes widened. “What?
No.
” She laughed, but it sounded nervous even to her ears. “How could I … I barely know him. We’ve never even been on a date. It’s just infatuation. A crush.”

“Sounds like love at first sight.”

“That’s crazy.”

“Why? Leo and I fell head over heels the first time we laid eyes on each other and look at us now. Married and trying for kids.”

Flustered, Chloe forced a smile. “How’s that going anyway?”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“Then I’ll end it.” She’d just accepted the fact that she was hopelessly infatuated with Devlin.
Love
? She wasn’t sure she’d know real love if it bit her on the butt. But this wasn’t it. Couldn’t be it. He was all wrong in the long-term scheme of things. Frowning now, she breezed past Monica and out into the hall, nearly barreling into Daisy.