He could all but feel her kiss-my-ass radiating over the phone line. Perversely, he was looking forward to 6:00 p.m.
AT PRECISELY four-thirty, Natalie pulled into a parking spot on Dahlias picturesque town square. There was no way she was going to sit through rush-hour traffic heading out of the city. Plus, shed seen Beaus face when Scooter told her to replace her outfit at Stillwell Motors Racings expense. Two could play his game, and she was more than willing to hit below the beltat least, thats where she assumed he kept his wallet.
She slung her purse over her shoulder and locked the minivan. Was it her imagination or did the air smell sweeter, fresher here? With its refurbished store fronts around a parklike square anchored by a Confederate soldier monument, Dahlia was a refreshing step back in timeespecially after the urban sprawl that had become Nashville.
Shed driven through with Caitlyn once before on their way out to Belle Terre and Caitlyn had pointed out the green and white striped awning that marked Beverlys Closet, but they hadnt stopped. Now Natalie strolled along the sidewalk, enchanted.
Early on, she and Caitlyn had discussed whether to use local businesses in the wedding or Natalies tried-and-true Nashville contacts. Now that Caitlyn had made up her mind, Natalie needed to set up appointments to meet with the business owners. True, she could just drop in, but that seemed disrespectful of their timeand thank you, Beau Stillwell, she knew all about how it felt to have someone disregard your time.
Plus, she wouldnt mind an opportunity to window-shop anonymously. One of her concerns was whether the small hometown businesses in Dahlia could deliver and pull off an event like Caitlyn and Cashs wedding. Not that she didnt want every wedding to be perfect, but the way this one would be covered by the media, Natalies already narrow margin of error had narrowed even further. This, the career catalyst that had been handed to her like a gift, had to be as close to perfect as possible.
Shed noted the bakerys location on the outskirts of town, a pink cinder block building with white lace curtains gracing the display windows of Pammys Petals. She paused now in front of Christas Florals and breathed a small sigh of relief. Several elegant floral arrangements on a velvet runner filled the front window. Whew! It was always a bad sign when a florist presented funeral wreaths and cemetery flowers as their primary offering.
She passed a small gallery showing several stainedglass pieces, lace and beadwork and a lovely wedding-knot quilt in shades of lavender, yellow and pink that sent a wave of nostalgia washing over her. She could almost smell the signature scent of gardenia her grandmother had favored and feel her warmth as theyd shared a similar quilt on Memaws front porch swing when Natalie had been a young girl. She blinked. It would be beyond crazy to burst into tears on the Dahlia sidewalk because some exquisitely crafted artwork had pulled an emotional rug out from under her feet.
She walked on. Dahlia Hair and Nails. Hmm. Hard to tell, but selling Caitlyn on another stylist would be a real challenge. Apparently the owner, Lila, was Caitlyns mothers best friend.
She paused on the sidewalk outside Beverlys Closet, ostensibly admiring the ivy topiaries and spring-mix flowers in oversized planters flanking the glass door. She realized she was nervous. As the mother of the bride, Beverly had been part of the preplanning with Natalie and Caitlyn, and Natalie liked the older woman, but she was suddenly self-consciously aware that Beverly was also the mother of Natalies new object of full-blown lust.
And like it or not, Beau hadnt just slipped into that spot, hed commandeered it. Dear god, even when he was being manipulative and arrogant and every other unpleasant adjective she could throw his way, damn him to hell, he tripped her trigger.
And that was highly, impossibly problematic. He was everything she didnt want in a man, wasnt he? Relationships werent supposed to shake you up and make you feel unsettled and as if you were too much for your own skin. And that was an equally crazy thought. What she and Beau had wasnt even close to a relationship. It was ashe didnt even know what it was. Wanting to strip a man naked and work her way up, or down, his body didnt qualify as a relationship.
As if that wasnt the craziest thing. She shrugged away the silly thought and stepped into Beverlys Closet.
At the tinkle of the bell, Beverly looked up from where she was plumping a cushion in an armchair upholstered in apple-green velvet. Can I help you Recognition kicked in. Natalie, its so good to see you again. Come on in, sugar. Beverlys genuine smile encompassed her. Somewhere in her midfifties, with porcelain skin, moss-green eyes and shoulder-length hair dyed a soft, flattering shade of blond, Caitlyns mother struck Natalie as the quintessential middle-aged Southern beauty.
Beverly hugged her, engulfing her in a cloud of perfume. What a nice surprise. Well, not a total surprise because Milton called and explained the ruined outfit. A delicate blush tinged Beverlys porcelain cheeks.
Milton? Natalie didnt know anyone named Milton.
Milton Lewis.
Lewis? That sounded familiar but it wouldnt click into place. And obviously she still looked perplexed.
Beaus crew chief.
Right. Oh. That Mr. Lewis. Natalie laughed. Shed really liked Scooter, née Milton, Lewis. I didnt think his mother named him Scooter.
Beverly rolled her eyes in exasperation. Isnt that the most ridiculous thing you ever heard to call a grown man? He picked up that name in high school when he and my late husband started tinkering with cars. Since Milton was the shortest, hed scoot underneath the car to work on it.
Natalie personally preferred Scooter to Milton, but she kept her own counsel. Shed quickly learned in this business when to hold her tongue. Well, most of the time. When she was around Beau, however, she didnt manage nearly as well. Hmm. She, however, found Beverlys blush sweet. So, Mr. Lewis called you?
Color rose in the older womans cheeks again. To tell me you might come by.
Uh-huh, Natalie responded with a knowing smile. Beverly was a beautiful woman and, well, bottom line, Scooter or Milton or whatever they called him was a man.
Another delicate stain of pink blossomed. We talked for a while. I think hes lonely since Emma Jean died.
And I think youre a beautiful woman.
Wellwhythank you. Thats what he said, too, Beverly told her in a sudden rush. She buried her hands in her face momentarily and then looked up, equal measures of excitement and mortification in her green eyes. Oh, Lord, he asked me to go to dinner.
Natalie had the distinct impression shed just wandered into something intensely personal but was enough of a stranger to qualify as a confidante. And for whatever reason, people seemed to confide in her. What did you say?
I said Id let him know.
Absence of a flat-out no meant yes. Do you want to go?
Beverly fluttered her hand nervously along her hairline. I dont knowits been so longWhat if he tries to kiss me when he brings me home?
Natalie pushed aside the memory of Beaus mouth on her lips and breast that seemed seared into her brain. This wasnt about her and this womans son. Regardless, her entire body went on red alert and her nipples stood at attention. She was pretty damn sure she was wearing her own blush now. Do you want him to?
Natalie pushed aside the memory of Beaus mouth on her lips and breast that seemed seared into her brain. This wasnt about her and this womans son. Regardless, her entire body went on red alert and her nipples stood at attention. She was pretty damn sure she was wearing her own blush now. Do you want him to?
Straightening a row of hangers that didnt need straightening, Beverly avoided eye contact. Its not that. I haventIts beenMonroe, Beau and Caitlyns daddy, died sixteen years ago and I havent seen she glanced up meaningfully anyone since then.
Seen? Natalies curiosity and confusion must have shone in her face.
My children needed me and I was all torn up inside, and then when Caitlyn was older, I thought it was still best not to date and its just gotten to be a habit. What if I dont remember how to kiss? And what will my children think? What would you think if your mother was about to start dating?
Shed never thought about it. She took a second to consider, unwilling to throw out a glib response to something that was obviously so important to Beverly. I think if my dad died I wouldnt want my mother to be lonely. I think your kids will feel the same. Maybe not at firstbut theyll come around. Well, I think Caitlyns so wrapped up in the engagement and wedding and love in general that shell be right onboard.
Beverly nodded. I think youre right. Im more worried about Beau. He stepped right in as man of the family when Monroe passed. The tension in the set of Beverlys shoulders eased. Apparently she was more comfortable discussing her son and the past, even if it was a difficult time, than a future date and potential kiss with Scooter. Lord, he was only sixteen but he finished school and worked in the evenings and on the weekends and we made ends meet. I cleaned houses to keep our heads above water but Beaus the reason I have this business and the house Im in now. There was no denying the admiration and mothers pride shining in her eyes. That boy has worked his tail off to provide a home and this business for me and hes made sure Caitlyn never wanted for anything she truly needed. He became a man at sixteen.
Something warm and dangerous flip-flopped inside Natalie. In retrospect, she supposed shed heard bits and pieces of this story from her sister, Shelby, but had not really paid much attention. She didnt want to think of Beau as a man who mentored Tim, his now-fatherless pit-crew member, or busted his young butt to keep a roof over his mothers and sisters heads. That all ran counter to dismissing him as just another hot, albeit arrogant, guy. She realized, rather lamely, that a somewhat expectant silence had stretched between them.
I can see why youre proud of him. Hopefully hell be okay with you going out with ScootI mean, Milton.
Beverly beamed, as if a tremendous weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Hell just have to be, wont he?
And dont worry that you wont remember how to kiss. Its probably been a while for him, as well. Yall can remember together.
Another blush, but somehow this looked more like a blush of expectation than embarrassment. She nodded, her eyes sparkling. So, we need to outfit you because that son of mine was hard to track down. She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. I know hes busy but I taught him better manners than that. Exactly what got ruined?
Just a blouse and a jacket. That should cover it.
Did the jacket go with a suit? Beverly quirked a salon-arched brow.
Well, yes.
She shook her head, clearly annoyed with the son shed just venerated. He knows better. Her eyes gleamed as she nodded. An entire suit and blouse. I raised him better than that.
Natalie almost felt sorry for Beau Stillwell. And then she thought about him dragging her out to Belle Terre as if she didnt have anything better to do than his bidding on a construction project and offered Beverly her brightest smile.
Chapter 7
NATALIE PULLED INTO the circular drive fronting Belle Terre and parked her minivan next to Beaus truck. She drew a deep, steadying breath. She was being ridiculous. It was just his lousy truckgranted, shed had a heck of a good time in that front seat as recently as last nightand her heart was galloping in her chest. She couldnt seem to stop herself from a quick glimpse in the rearview mirror to check hair and makeup. No mascara smears, no oily spots on her faceblotting papers were a beautiful thingand her lip gloss was fine. She smoothed down a spot where her hair was sticking up. Good to go.
She climbed out of the car and approached the house. It was imposing and, if she was totally honest, a little scary. While beautiful, there was an air of melancholy about it, but then again, how many generations had loved, lived, cried and died here? How could a place that had once held people in captivity as slaves to a master know anything but melancholy, despite the laughter that must have spilled from the shuttered windows that opened to the soaring, columned porch?
Beau opened the front doorapparently waiting on her to show up, she notedand all philosophical and esoteric thought fled in light of her purely physical response to six foot plus of dark-haired, blue-eyed, well-muscled man in jeans, T-shirt and work boots. What had happened to her penchant for suits and ties? Gone. System bypassed in favor of hot and rugged standing with splayed legs in the doorway. Sweet, hot, immediate desire flooded her.
Youre here, he said, his dark-lashed eyes sweeping her, touching her in a way that left her breathless.
She marched past him into the foyer. I am. She strove to bring some semblance of detachment to the situation. She turned to face him, opting for the direct approach. Now why dont you tell me why Im really here? You could have a high-school kid help you and theyd be more adept at this than me.
Those eyes flickered over her again and it was a replay of the scene in The Libertine when just one look from Johnny Depp and she was ready to crawl naked across the floor for him. But youre the one with the insight into what Caitlyn wants done, he went on. And after youhow was it exactlyoh, right, drove me beyond the point of desperate with those kissesyou really didnt leave me any choice, did you?
She knew the moment that came out of her mouth shed regret saying it. And she could only blame her lack of self-control on him. He was the culprit. There was something about him. He got under her skin. Wanting to crawl naked across a floor for him was a perfect case in point. She was good with crawling naked across the floor but not for him. She scrambled for some measure of sanity.
I shouldnt have said that. Occasionally, my mouth runs away with me. And about the other, Ive been thinking
He interrupted. The other?
She was altogether too, too aware that it was her and him alone in an empty house and to stand about throwing the word kiss or kissing around seemed dangerous territory. Couldnt they address the issue in a nice civilized roundabout manner? You know what I mean.
He closed the front door with a final, resounding click. He approached her with a measured, intent tread, and her pulse hammered. Youve got to speak clearly and slowly for us he-man types who are more brawn than brains, sugar. He held out broad, masculine hands, palms up, as if for her inspection, approval. These hands have calluses.