Up All Night Long: From Lust to Love (Romance Anthology) (10 page)

"Um... so pairing just means putting together?" He smiled and extended his hand. "I'm Jake. You must be new or driving through."

Kari shook his hand, the roughness of his palms causing her stomach to tighten at forbidden possibilities. "I'm Kari Martin. We're new in town."

"Ahhh. That explains it." He let go of her hand and pointed to the shelf in front of him. Kari knew she should follow his focus toward the wine, but she couldn't help but look at him a few more minutes. Had she ever seen anyone so attractive? On TV or in the movies perhaps, but in real life?

Hell no.

"So if you're having fish or chicken, they say white wine is best." He looked down at her and smiled. "Red wine is usually for red meat."

"We're having stir fry, so I'm thinking white wine." She forced herself to turn and reach for the first bottle. He reached over and took it from her, smiling and reaching up to grab another bottle.

"You want something dry, not a dessert wine, though sweet is always good, I guess." He extended the bottle to her and she took it.

"I thought everyone was a grandparent here." She realized what she'd said before she could force her lips closed, her cheeks burning. "I'm sorry... we've been driving, and..."

He laughed and the sound was sensual and yet warming all in the same moment. "It's okay. Most people are grandparents here, but there are a few of us
youngans
left I guess."

"Thank God." Kari laughed and looked down at the bottle. "Well, thanks."

He winked at her and turned, walking down the aisle as he slipped his hands in his pockets. She watched him leave, her heart racing, her mind rushing to think of anything to stop him. A soft sigh left her as she looked back at the wine.

Best looking man she'd ever seen in her whole life and he was talking to her and she let him go. She started to curse herself as Sicily walked down the aisle, the small cart rattling in front of her.

"Holy hell I just saw the most beautiful man I've ever seen in my life. This place is a gold mine." She laughed and reached over to take the bottle of wine from Kari.

Kari just shrugged. "I know. He recommended our wine."

*

The evening was filled with laughter and shared memories, the long day catching up too quickly to Kari. She said her good-nights and gave her brother a look to remind him to behave before slipping up to her new room. She pulled a small blanket from a chest that sat by her door, her brother and Lisa having gotten her bed put together while she and Sicily were at the grocery store. Her thoughts slipped back to the handsome guy in the wine aisle, a smile touching her lips as she stripped and flopped down on the bed.

Perhaps not everyone in Bar Harbor was a grandparent. If they were... there were some mighty fine older people. She laughed and rolled over, sleep grabbing her fast and pulling her under.

Chapter 9

Dreams of Jake stained her night, her sleep restless and filled with hope for something that might occur. His strong hands demanding, his lips soft, his words sweet and full of promise.

Kari woke up to the sound of her phone buzzing near her ear, her alarm set for eight to ensure that she had time to shower and find her clothes before meeting with the editor in chief at the local newspaper that morning. Steve had made a few calls, and for that, she was grateful. Doing anything other than taking pictures for a living would be suffocating to her free spirit. She just hoped like hell they wouldn't want her to do any news casting. Doubtful, but one never knew.

She walked down the hall to the small bathroom, listening for sounds of life and hearing nothing, thankfully. A quick shower and she was ready to conquer the day ahead. Kari pulled a white sweater dress over her head and slipped into a pair of brown flats, her belt and matching earrings in various shades. She towel-dried her hair and made her way to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee and make herself a few pieces of toast.

"You're up early," Lisa mumbled, turning as Kari walked into the kitchen.

Kari yelped softly. "Crap. You scared me. I didn't realize anyone was up."

"Yeah, well I'm not sure I really ever fell asleep." Lisa sighed and pointed to the coffee pot. "It's already made, so help yourself."

"What caused you to sleep so badly? Up sick or what?"

"No, just never do sleep really well in a new place at first. Just feels creepy to me, I guess." Lisa shrugged and turned to pick up the paper, sitting down at the kitchen table. Most of the furniture was in the house, but left piled in the middle of the living room area. It would be a long week of getting everything together, but once it was done, they could all relax and just enjoy.

"Too many scary movies as a kid?" Kari walked to get a cup of coffee, looking over her shoulder at Lisa, who wasn't paying attention.

"I guess. My parents weren't really in my business much as a kid, so too much of everything, scary movies included." Lisa looked up as Kari turned around, lifting her mug to her lips and blowing carefully. "You look nice. Where are you headed?"

"I have an interview around lunchtime with the editor in chief at the local paper. My old boss got me in to see him or her at least. The rest will be up to me." Kari walked to the table and took a seat, leaning back and setting her cup on the table.

Her brother walked in and smiled at them, his hair a mess and eyes red. "You guys could keep it down to a dull roar, you know?"

Lisa picked up a small dish towel on the table and chucked it at him. "You have no room to talk. You snore like a lumberjack."

Kari laughed. "He's snored since he was a kid."

Marc huffed and walked toward the coffee pot. "Stop telling all my secrets, sis. Jeez."

Sicily joined them shortly and they sat around the table talking and making fun of one another until Lisa got up and made breakfast.

Kari jumped up at eleven, knocking over a small glass of juice from the table before her and yelling sorry over her shoulder. "I'm going to be late!"

"We'll get it. No worries. Just go do what you have to do, sis." Marc yelled after her as she hurried toward the front door. She grabbed her purse and keys and paused before walking out, looking over at them and smiling.

"Wish me luck?"

Marc and Sicily yelled 'good luck' as Lisa smirked. "You don't need luck. You've got this."

"True." She winked and walked out into the mid-morning sun, the cold air quick to attack her. She didn't have time to grab a coat, the morning having slipped away from her. She jogged to the car and got in, turning it on and blowing warm air into her hands as she bounced her legs.

"Freezing, freezing, freezing..."

Turning on the radio, she sat back and waited for the car to heat up before she pulled out into the quiet streets of Maine. The picturesque scene before her quickly assisted in settling her nerves, her focus shifting from concern over getting a job to the handsome guy from her dreams. He was probably married. That would be just her luck.

She leaned forward, looking to her left as she slowed the car. The paper was supposed to be located in the heart of town, but all of the small buildings were much too tiny to hold a full press.

"Maybe the press is located somewhere else and this is just an office?" She reached over and grabbed her phone, pulling over to look at the address again. She huffed and looked up, the small sign above the door on the yellow-brick building to her left read: 'Bar Harbor Post.'

After checking her teeth in the mirror, Kari got out of the car and walked quickly across the street, a few elderly people walking the cobblestone paths that led from shop to shop. They waved, much to her surprise, and she waved back, adding in a 'good morning' for the hell of it. Odd to be around seemingly friendly people.

She walked up two small concrete steps and slipped into the warmth of the small building, a bell jingling above her head.

"Hello?" She walked through the small lobby, a long hall leading into the back with no one out front. She stood at the beginning of the hall and listened, hoping to get a response.

Nothing.

"Hello? Anyone here?" She took a few tentative steps into the hall and lifted her voice a little more. The sound of a door opening far down the hall caused her to pause. Taking a few steps back, she pulled her purse in front of her, almost hugging it absently.

"I'm here, I'm here... keep your panties on," a female voice rushed up to greet Kari, the large, red-headed woman it belonged to quickly following. She looked up and smiled, waving at Kari.

Kari walked toward her, her hand extended. "Sorry. I didn't know if I should come back or not."

"No worries, child. I'm Martha Wittington. You must be Kari?"

Kari nodded, finally making it to the woman and shaking her thick hand. "Yes, ma'am. I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice."

The woman turned and motioned for Kari to follow her. "Oh, nonsense. I've been looking for someone with your skills for almost two years now. You'd think being up here in the most beautiful part of the country would afford you a good photographer, but no... everyone here is only stopping in to take pictures and then head home."

Kari laughed softly, the woman quite animated. They walked down the hall and moved into a small office, Martha's name on the door with 'Editor in Chief' underneath it. She moved to her desk and pointed to a small chair in front of it. "Have a seat and let's chat. Forgive the mess. I haven't the time to deal with house cleaning type crap when I can barely keep the paper up and running."

Kari sat down and pressed her knees together, smoothing out her dress and looking up to take in the massive amounts of paper and books, photos, and all sorts of disorganization that littered the small space. "Well, hopefully I can help with that."

Martha plopped down in her chair, the small leather contraption groaning under the pressure of her large frame. "I think that would be wonderful. Let's talk money first to make sure we have the right to talk about abilities and demands. If I can't pay you what you're looking for then this conversation is moot and a waste of both of our time. Right?"

Kari felt her chest constrict. Money was usually a topic discussed over a welcome e-mail or through an acceptance letter. She wasn't even sure how much she needed to live each month or how much the other girls expected her to pay in rent. "Sounds great."

"Good." Martha clapped her hands and leaned back in her chair, her blue top bringing out the almost violent strands of her crimson hair. She had to have dyed it herself. It wasn't necessarily unattractive, but no way she paid someone to miss large chunks of her hair with the various colors. "I was thinking two thousand a month to start, and then in sixty days we could talk about a raise."

Kari had made three times that in New York, but also had been living near the heart of the city. Her rent and utilities were elevated because of location alone. She figured two thousand was better than any other offer she was going to get. After she got home and spoke with Sicily and Lisa, she decided if she needed more, then she'd talk to Martha about a raise, or she'd find another part-time job.

"That actually sounds great. I'm not sure of the cost of living here compared to New York, but I'm sure that will be plenty." Kari moved to set her purse down beside her, realizing that she was holding it almost like some sort of protection in front of her.

"Good. Now, let's talk about the difference between a small press and a large one."

Kari leaned back, crossing her legs. "That would be great. I've only worked for a large one."

"This much I know, but Steve, your old boss, told me he was grooming you for greatness!" She yelled the last part, Kari trying hard not to jump as the sound of her voice slammed into her.

"I'm not sure how Steve defines greatness, but my strength lies in photography. He had me do a lot of picture taking for him and we were working on me being a fill-in for our local news anchor when needed."

"Perfect." Martha clapped her hands together again, a few papers shuffling on her desk. "Well, I need a photographer more than anything, but there is always going to be a need for you to ask a few questions for us when you're on the scene."

"I'm fine with that. I'm not the best at writing up a story or being live on camera, but pictures I can definitely do and asking a few questions doesn't sound too hard." Kari nodded as if she wasn't ready to bolt. She was fine taking pictures, she could do that all day, but having to ask questions and interview people sounded intimidating.

"I knew you'd be perfect for us. Just something in my gut told me when I spoke to Steve about you the other day."

"Do you know Steve?" Kari asked.

"Everyone who's anyone knows Steve. Such a shame about him and his wife all those years ago. She's a complete floozy." Martha sighed, rolling her eyes and moving her hands about as she spoke. "Anyway. The job is yours, kiddo, if you want it."

Kari smiled. "I want it. When do I start?"

Martha stood and moved around her desk. "Now. Come on and I'll show you your office. Cliff was scheduled to take some pictures and do a short interview for us this afternoon, but he's called in sick. I'll need you to fill in for him. Do you have your camera with you?"

Kari wanted badly to lie and say she couldn't today, but to turn her new boss down on day one when the woman obviously needed help wasn't going to win her friends and help her influence people. She simply nodded. "Yes, I have it in the back of my car."

"Well, good. Let me show you to your office and you can get settled and I'll draft up the paperwork we need on you for your employment." Martha moved out of the office and Kari got up to follow after her. She let her eyes move along the various clippings of the paper, one in particular catching her eye.

Jake.

She stopped and reached up to touch the small paper, calling after Martha. "Hey... just real quick. Who is this?"

Martha stopped and waddled back down the hall, pulling her glasses from her hair and reaching up to take the frame from the wall. "Oh yes. This is Jake Isaac. He's a great kid."

"Kid? He looks like he's at least my age."

Martha put the picture back on the wall and laughed. "Yes, he is. You're both kids to me."

Kari stayed behind a few minutes, leaning in to read about Jake. Not much was given other than him being a hometown hero, his willingness to serve as the volunteer fire department chief being the reason for the header altogether. She leaned in closer as Martha called her to come on.

Sighing, she walked down the hall and turned into the last doorway on the right. The office was spacious and rather clean - both unexpected. "Wow, this is nice."

Martha laughed, turning from just having opened the blinds on the windows. "My office looks like this too, but the years of work have cluttered it beyond recognition."

Kari's cheeks burned. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean..."

Martha cut her off, moving toward her and putting her hands on Kari's shoulders. "Don't be silly. We're going to be the best of friends, right as rain. Go get your stuff and get settled and I'll be back in a bit."

Kari nodded, a warm smile crossing her lips. "What time is the interview this afternoon?"

"It's at three o'clock. It's for teacher of the year, so it should be pretty simple. You'll like the school. It's quaint and houses most of the kids in the town from fifth to eight grade."

"All of the junior high kids fit into that one school?" Kari balked as Martha squeezed her shoulders and walked out.

"You aren't in New York anymore, honey."

Kari laughed. "I guess not."