Authors: LuAnn McLane
Although Mia realized that she knew only a small portion of her father’s business dealings, this was the positive type of thing she always associated with him. Although Mitch Monroe commanded a presence much like Donald Trump, he had a much more easygoing demeanor. Mia certainly never suspected him of doing anything as harsh as taking over the company of a valued friend, and she was still reeling from their last conversation. Mia shook her head slowly. While she knew that her father made piles of money, he gave back in a big way, and Mia had organized many charity events for him. Mitch Monroe was shrewd, yes . . . but ruthless? It didn’t add up, but then again she had overheard his phone conversation and he hadn’t denied a single accusation. But oh God . . . she missed him! The desire to whip out her phone and tell him about her adventure in Cricket Creek was so strong that she barely refrained. She chewed on the inside of her lip. Maybe just a little bitty text message? Oh, and this situation was so tweet-worthy! Her friends would be in hysterics, Mia thought with a grin, and she reached inside her purse for her cell phone.
Wait a minute.
Mia knew that her friends would think this was one big joke, and that realization brought her up short. How often had she witnessed snobbish, rude behavior from her very own friends, much like the table of asshats that Cameron had ended up fighting . . . oh right, and she had fought as well. They’d deserved to get their butts kicked!
“No!” she said so loudly that Nancy glanced over the top of her reading glasses.
“Sugar, I’m sorry it’s taking so long. You didn’t hear it from me, but Sheriff Mason drags his feet when he wants to, I’m afraid.”
Mia widened her eyes. “You mean he’s letting Cameron rot in a jail cell on purpose?”
“Well, I don’t think your young man is to the rotting stage just yet, but yes.” Nancy held up her romance novel; it had a hunky guy on the cover that made Mia think of Cameron. “I don’t have books on my desk because we’re overflowing with crooks around here.”
“Can I visit him?” Mia had a vision of taking him a picnic basket of food with a secret weapon wrapped in a ham sandwich. “Take him some supper?” She glanced at the vending machine. “At least a candy bar, or maybe a Coke?”
Nancy chuckled. “Now, aren’t you just as cute as a button. Where are you from anyways? It sure isn’t from around these parts.”
“Oh . . . uh . . .” Mia hesitated but then said, “Here and there. The Midwest.”
“Thought so.” Nancy nodded. “Y’all got that kinda funny accent.”
“Really? You’re telling me
I
have an accent?” Mia pointed her thumb toward her chest. “You’re the one with the southern drawl, Nancy.”
“Southern? Honey, slow and easy isn’t just an accent or drawl. It’s a way of life. I’m sure we move at a more leisurely pace than you’re accustomed to.”
“Yes,” Mia admitted, “but that’s not such a bad thing.”
When Nancy glanced back down, Mia said, “Oh, I don’t mean to keep you from your job.” Especially if it was paperwork to get Cameron out, Mia thought with a slight grimace.
“What? Oh, sweetie, I was on Facebook.”
“Really?” Nancy didn’t look like the Facebook type, but then again, what did she know? Apparently not much.
“I finished up all of my paperwork a while ago. I’m actually itching to finish reading my book. The hero and heroine are about to do the horizontal tango, if ya know what I’m sayin’.”
Mia frowned for a second but then giggled. “I do.”
“Yeah, I’m afraid it’s as close to sex as I’m gonna get.”
Mia couldn’t believe she was having this conversation with a total stranger, but then again she was finding that small-town folks seemed to speak their mind and then some. “You don’t know that.”
Nancy leaned forward on her elbows. “Oh, honey, I’m sorry to say it, but that ship has sailed.”
“Hey, don’t give up! Your prince might still come.”
“Well, I’ve kissed enough frogs in my day, that’s for damn sure,” Nancy said just as the door opened.
Mia’s heart pounded with the anticipation of seeing Cameron, but a tall, gray-haired man in dusty work clothes entered the room. He had a neatly trimmed beard, slightly shaggy hair, a kind smile, and very blue eyes that zoned in on Nancy. “What’s this I’m hearin’ ’bout you kissin’ frogs?”
“Oh, I’m just goin’ on,” Nancy said with a wave of her hand, but Mia noted with interest that she appeared a little flushed. She tucked her hair behind her ears and gave him her full attention. “Has it stopped rainin’ yet?”
“Yeah, just misty and damp. Not my favorite kinda weather.”
Nancy frowned. “Well, now, Tucker, you shoulda come in outta the rain. You’ll catch your death!”
He shrugged. “Aw, sun’s tryin’ to break through. Let me tell ya, I’ve worked in much worse conditions. I’ve been trimmin’ the hedges and I wanted to get it done before dinner. Needed something cold to wet my whistle, though. I’m damned near parched,” Tucker replied, and for the first time he seemed to notice Mia, who was sitting there quietly taking in the exchange. “Howdy there.” He gave her a polite nod.
“Tucker, meet sweet little Mia,” Nancy said. “She’s a new waitress down at Wine and Diner.”
“Nice to meet you, Tucker.”
He smiled, making his light blue eyes crinkle at the corners. “Same here. I’m part of the old-timers’ breakfast club down at the diner. Reckon I’ll be seein’ ya around.”
“I hope so,” Mia said softly and felt a bit of heat in her cheeks. If she didn’t get fired. “Are you the groundskeeper?” Mia asked, wanting to change the subject.
“That among other things,” Tucker answered as he slipped a dollar into the slot on the soft drink machine. It spit it out and he laughed and slipped it back in. “Danged machine never wants to take my money. I can fix just about anything, but I enjoy being outdoors.”
“Well, the courthouse looks amazing,” Mia replied. “It’s nice that they didn’t tear it down and put up a modern building. And the grounds are meticulous.”
“Thanks.” Tucker smiled and then popped the top of a root beer. “There’ve been some fights over it at town hall since the old courthouse is a bit hard to maintain, but some things are worth keeping. Well, speaking of that, I’d better get back to work. Nice to meet ya,” he said and, after taking a swallow of his drink, turned to Nancy. “You comin’ to breakfast this Saturday mornin’?”
Mia noticed that his tone seemed carefully casual, but those intense blue eyes held such hope that Mia almost sighed. She wished someone would look at her with such longing.
“I believe I will,” Nancy answered just as evenly.
“Good to hear.” Tucker took a long swallow of root beer. “Well, I guess I’d better get back out there and rake up the clipped branches.”
“All right, then,” Nancy said but then held up one finger. “Oh, hold on, I
almost
forgot that I saved you a few of my oatmeal raisin cookies. Baked a batch last night.” She lifted one shoulder. “Was bored and needed something to keep my hands busy.”
Yeah, right,
Mia thought.
“Thank you much, Nancy. They’re my favorite, and nobody makes ’em better than you,” he said as he took the cookies from her. “I’ll return this,” he promised and held up the plastic container.
“Aw, no need.”
“Are you kiddin’?” Tucker grinned. “I want to ensure a refill.”
“All right, then.”
“Thanks, I’ll be dipping these in some cold milk later tonight. Hope to see ya Saturday,” he said and then turned to Mia. “Nice to meet ya, Miss Mia.”
“Same here.”
Tucker gave her a little salute and then headed out the door.
“Well, now,” Mia cooed with an arch of one eyebrow. “Is
he
one of the frogs?”
“Naw, we’re just friends,” Nancy scoffed, but Mia detected a bit of a blush.
“Well, he sure is handsome. Is he single?”
“Well, now I, uh, suppose so.”
“Meaning
yes
.”
“Uh-huh.” Nancy fidgeted around with random items on her desk. “He’s been divorced for a long time. Stupid woman ran off with another man.”
“So what are you waiting for?” Mia raised her hands skyward. “Christmas?”
Nancy stopped fidgeting and laughed. “Girlie, I declare, you might not be from Cricket Creek, but I’m thinking you just might belong here after all.”
“I’m just in a sort of holding pattern while my car gets fixed.”
“Really now? Don’t be so sure. We’ve had a steady influx of city folk recently. You just might be next.”
“Don’t get me wrong, Cricket Creek is a cute little town, but I don’t have any plans to move here permanently,” she replied, but at that very moment Cameron was ushered into the room. As soon as she laid eyes on him, her heart started beating faster and her stomach did a little fluttery butterfly thing, making her feel a bit light-headed. When their eyes locked and held, she felt warm all over, almost like she had a fever. What was up with that? Maybe she was coming down with something . . .
“Oh boy.” Nancy took one look at Cameron and let out a low whistle. She winked at Mia. “Oh, sugar, I’d surely change my plans if I were you. Hot damn.”
9
The Calm Before the Storm
“T
HANKS FOR BAILING ME OUT,” CAMERON SAID AFTER
they stepped outside.
“It was the least I could do. I should be the one thanking you for coming to my defense.”
“No need.” Soft rays of sunshine were breaking through the clouds, but it did little to lighten Cam’s mood. He had missed a team meeting and this little incident could get him ousted from the team. “Those guys had it coming to them,” he added darkly.
“No need to thank you? Are you kidding?” Mia put a hand on his forearm, causing Cam to pause at the top step. “You don’t even know me and yet you’ve come to my rescue twice now.”
“Don’t go mistaking me for a hero,” Cam warned once more while trying not to be affected by the light touch of her cool hand on his bare skin. He almost succeeded, but her soft smile just about did him in. “I don’t deserve it.”
“Well, that’s debatable.” The soft smile remained. “But lucky for you I’m not in the mood to argue. Now, what I do know is that you deserve for me to buy you dinner. But my, uh, funds are somewhat limited.” She scrunched up her cute, perky nose. “Okay, make that very limited. The best I can do is coffee or perhaps a beer at Sully’s.”
“You really don’t owe me anything, Mia,” he said firmly.
“Oh . . . okay.” When her face fell, he tried not to feel guilty.
“Besides,” he said in a gentler tone, “I have to head over to the stadium and explain to Ty McKenna why I missed a team meeting. Hopefully, he won’t get wind of my arrest.”
Mia’s eyes rounded. “Could you really be in big trouble?”
“Maybe,” Cam replied, trying to sound casual.
“Like in getting booted off the team?” She squeezed his arm and swallowed hard.
“It’s . . . possible.”
“Well, then, I’m going with you.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Oh, yes, I am!” Mia’s tone suggested that she often got her way without any argument, making Cam think once more that she came from wealth. But her pink uniform and the blue hoodie reminded him that she was a struggling waitress at the local diner and drove a beater car. “Come on, let’s go.” She started down the steps.
Cam hesitated. He was used to fighting his own battles.
At the bottom of the steps, Mia turned around and fisted her hands on her slim hips. She looked up at him with challenge in her eyes. “What are you waiting for? You don’t have to face the music alone.” Her chin came up. “Cameron, I’ve got your back.”
Hearing his name in her reassuring tone coupled with the pleading look in her pretty eyes was his undoing. When had anyone come to his defense? For that matter, when had anyone given a rat’s ass about him, period? Other than how well he could play baseball?
Never
slammed into his brain and sank down to his gut. But while he had to admit that it felt damned good to have someone actually care, a flash of fear snaked down his spine. Letting down his guard made him feel vulnerable, and he liked to feel bulletproof. In Cam’s experience, depending upon someone else was setting himself up for a fall. How many times had he stood by the curb waiting for a ride home from baseball practice that never arrived, while other moms and dads picked their kids up in minivans? Cam had learned to ride his bike, fix his own dinner . . . and depend upon no one. “Thanks, but seriously, I’ll work it out.”
“What? I’m your witness.” Mia raised her hands from her hips and reached toward the sky. “Come on, let’s go do this thing. I can help. Really.”
Cam would have refused again, but something in her eyes told him that maybe she had never been taken seriously. “Okay,” he relented and slowly descended the steps.
“Good.” She followed in those ridiculous shoes that didn’t fit the mold of a down-and-out waitress. “If you lost your spot on the team because of me, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night. I won’t let that happen,” she stated, but the slight waver in her voice gave him pause. Cam suddenly had a sneaking suspicion that while he had always fended for himself, Mia had always depended upon others. But she seemed determined to prove
something
, and truth be known, he was in some deep shit and she just might be his only salvation.
“We’ll have to walk,” he warned her with a glance at her shoes. “My car is back at Wine and Diner and we need to go in the opposite direction. Ty and Noah might not be there much longer and I need to get this cleared up. But we’d better get going because there’s a chance of a storm later.”
“I’m getting used to walking,” she acknowledged with a slight grin. “It’s better for my calves than being driven around all the time,” she said when he reached the bottom of the steps.
“Driven around?” Has she just let something slip?
“I meant driving,” Mia quickly amended. “Silly me . . . ,” she added with such conviction that it didn’t ring true. He wanted to ask more, but she started walking before Cam could get more out of her. She was hiding something. He was sure of it.
When they arrived at the baseball complex, Cam’s heart thudded even though the walk was relatively short. Even if he tried to keep the incident from Noah and Ty, this was a small town and news traveled fast. He might as well come clean. Cam took a deep breath and paused at the front door. He was usually an expert at keeping his emotions hidden, but some of his internal worry must have shown on his face because Mia put a gentle hand on his arm and smiled. Cam hated that his fear was apparent and narrowed his eyes. “What?” he asked a bit harshly. Being an ass had been his smoke screen all his life, and Cam usually took some satisfaction when it worked, but when her smile faltered it was like a swift kick to his gut.
“I just wanted to tell you that everything will be okay,” she said softly. When she gently squeezed his arm, it was all he could do not to shake her off, but he didn’t want her to know how her concern was affecting him.
“Yeah, well, they need me on the team.” Cam shrugged as if it didn’t matter all that much, when of course he was shaking in his shoes, but Mia’s sincere, unwavering gaze actually helped to calm his nerves just a bit. Even though he wasn’t at all convinced that everything
was
going to be okay, her attempt to reassure him felt . . . nice. As a kid he had often longed for a hug or even a slight indication that someone cared. Once in a while he got a rather clumsy bedtime pat on the head or a smile from his mother, and when he did, Cam soaked it up like a dry sponge soaked up water. But the rare show of affection always left him wanting more, so he had learned to harden his heart and expect nothing. The fact that Mia had managed to find a chink in his armor made him feel exposed, and so he frowned and pulled his arm away from her gentle touch.
“Hey, you did the right thing,” Mia insisted. “You stepped in when others would have looked away. No one can fault you for that.”
“You’d be surprised.” Cam chuckled without humor. Some of the fights he had managed to get himself into were actually because he was coming to the aid of someone or trying to break up a fight, but he always managed to catch the blame.
Mia’s eyes widened again. “So you think you’re in some
really
deep trouble?”
Once again he hated to see her in distress. “Look, when you’ve got something somebody wants or needs, they always manage to look the other way where rules are concerned,” he said, even though he didn’t really think that about Noah Falcon. And Triple Threat Ty McKenna was a hard-nosed coach. Cam inhaled another deep breath. He was probably screwed, but he didn’t want her to know it. “Come on, let’s go. It will be fine.” He hoped.
“I’m sure it will be.” Mia smiled but appeared worried.
“Let’s go.” Cam pushed the front door open and held it for Mia to enter just as it started to sprinkle. A loud clap of thunder had her hurrying to get inside. “We need to go to the offices on the fifth floor,” he said as he walked over to the elevator. “Hopefully, Noah will still be here.”
“It would be nice if you could get this straightened out pronto.” Mia nodded and pressed the red button.
“You got that right,” he said and once again tried not to be curious. Really . . . who said
pronto
? Her language was often more formal than he was used to, and at times she seemed to be quoting someone older.
On the way up she seemed to be deep in thought as she stared up at the blinking numbers. He hid a smile while wondering if she was practicing a speech to Noah in her head. Cam took the opportunity to study her profile. She really was pretty and looked so cute in the blue hoodie that he suddenly wondered if he was completely off base about her being rich. Not that he tended to pigeonhole people, but he was good at assessing a situation. With Mia, though, he continued to be at a loss. It made him feel a bit off-kilter, but not in a totally bad way.
In baseball Cam had gotten the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and from all over the globe. While he didn’t like to stereotype, especially since he had often been on the receiving end, in his experience women of wealth were self-absorbed and wouldn’t be likely to go out of their way to come to his defense. He had never been worth the time or effort. He just couldn’t figure Mia out.
Oh, but one thing he did know was that Mia had a full, lush mouth made for kissing, and damn if he didn’t want to push her up against the wall, taste her lips, and feel her body next to his. He inhaled deeply, trying to chase that erotic image from his brain, but her light floral fragrance filled his head and didn’t help matters. Crazy that his mind would head in that direction given his current circumstances, but it sure as hell did, and damn, it would not budge.
When Mia turned and looked at him, something of what he had been thinking must have shown on his face, because her eyes widened slightly and her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. Again, this type of reaction wasn’t typical of a rich, confident woman. He had to be wrong. Or maybe he just wanted to be wrong since he had sworn off getting tangled up with self-absorbed, self-serving women a long time ago.
“I was wondering . . . ,” Mia began, but before she could finish her sentence the lights flickered and the elevator jerked in staccato movements, throwing Cam off balance. He stumbled sideways and twisted to avoid bumping into Mia, but he ended up pushing her up against the wall. He flattened his palms against the cool surface on either side of his shoulders while the elevator continued to shake in tandem with the lights. “What’s happening?” she asked breathlessly and fisted her hands in his shirt.
“Get down in the middle of the floor,” Cam ordered, and when she immediately obeyed he covered her body with his. If the elevator was going to crash he wanted to shield her from as much harm as he possibly could. She clung to him and he could feel her body tremble.
“Cam, I’m scared!”
“It’s okay. I’ve got you,” he said in her ear. The thought of any harm coming to her clenched at his gut, and he curled his body around hers while the lights continued to blink. The floor vibrated and the elevator lurched again, and then everything went dark. Cam held his breath, thinking that they really might plunge to the basement, but the vibration ceased and everything went completely still.
“What do you think is wrong?” Mia whispered.
“My guess is that the thunderstorm that had threatened all day long finally hit hard and the electricity went off.”
“Oh.” Her hands remained fisted in his shirt, and Cam liked it. He also liked the feel of her curves pressed intimately against him. “Shouldn’t there be a backup generator or something?” She continued to whisper, making him grin.
“Well, if there is one, it’s not working.” God, she smelled amazing. He barely refrained from nuzzling her neck. He should move and put some distance between them, but his aroused body would not even think of budging.
“So we’re stuck?” Her soft breath caressed his cheek, and it was all he could do not to kiss her.
“Yes,” he finally managed to articulate. “It seems that way.”
“How long do you think we’ll be stuck in here?”
“For a while, I hope.” Oh crap, he hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
“What? Why?” Her breathless whisper tickled his cheek again and sent a hot flash of desire south. Cam tried to cool his ardor and swallowed hard. “Cam?” she persisted and then shifted beneath him.
Dear God . . .
“So I can do this,” he finally replied and then lowered his head and covered her mouth with his. Cam didn’t know what reaction to expect, but having come from humble beginnings he knew not to hesitate when an opportunity presented itself. Having a beautiful woman pinned beneath him in the dark was one of those times when it was better to react than to think. Besides, after this sucky day, what did he have to lose? If she gave him a quick knee to the balls, then so be it . . .
But she didn’t.
With a soft moan Mia opened her mouth beneath his and kissed him back like there was no tomorrow. Which, given the situation, maybe there wouldn’t be, he thought with dark humor. So . . . why fight it? At least that’s how he justified his actions, and with that thought in mind he deepened the kiss, savoring her sweet, soft lips. When he trailed the tip of his tongue over her full bottom lip, she let go of his shirt and threaded her fingers through his hair, slanting her mouth as if asking for more, and Cam gladly gave it. Their breath mingled, tongues tangled, and he didn’t want the kiss to end. He rocked against her and devoured every inch of her sweet, warm mouth until a trickle of sweat down his back reminded him of the dire straits they’d found themselves in. In the back of his befuddled brain he knew he should try to call for help. He kissed her for another long, delicious moment before he reluctantly pulled his lips from hers.