Abby dropped in on Charley with Jasper before going to work. She put her sleeping toddler down on the sofa before joining Charley at the kitchen table.
Popping the top of her diet soda, Abby asked, “So how’d your doctor visit go yesterday?”
“Fine,” Charley said, twisting her Oreo apart to scrape the filling with her teeth. “It was the rotator cuff, just like Drake said. I’m supposed to take it easy for a while and ice it off and on.”
Abby rolled her eyes. “I don’t care about your shoulder. Tell me the rest.”
Charley fell back with a groan. “My brother has a big mouth.”
“I wheedled it out of him. So, spill it.”
Charley held up her left arm. “I got an implant. I’m baby free for three years.”
Abby leaned in to take a closer look. “No kidding. Three years?”
“That’s what she told me. What are you on?”
“The pill.”
“You like it?”
“It’s better than another one of those.” She pointed her thumb at the napping boy.
Charley turned back with a smile. “Do you think my brother is going to be cool with Drake if we come in tonight?”
Abby shrugged. “You know how Dink is. He has to do the manly thing — get the intimidation out of the way first. Once that’s over, he’ll be fine. I think he considers it his duty since your dad is in Florida.”
Charley grumbled. “His attitude is infuriating. I’m twenty-six, for crying out loud.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Abby said, dabbing her lips with the back of her hand after taking a fizzy swallow. “You’ll always be Dink’s little sister. He feels responsible for you.”
Charley mulled that over. “I guess that’s sort of sweet but I wish he’d just back off.” She laughed softly. “Wonder how Drake will handle him.”
Abby shrugged and gave Charley an interesting smile. “Dink asked me to marry him again.”
Charley brightened. “He did?” They both cringed as Jasper shifted in his sleep and she repeated herself in a whisper. “He did?”
Abby nodded, blushing. “Yeah. After I put Jasper down for the night, I went to bed and Dink rolled over and started fondling my breasts and you know what he said? He said he wishes I was still nursing. Can you believe that?”
Charley made a face. “Oh my god, what’s wrong with him?”
Abby laughed. “Hate to tell you this but your brother’s a boob man.”
“I seriously don’t want to know any more.”
“The worst is over.”
“Fine, continue.”
“Anyway, he admitted he’s been thinking about having another baby.”
Charley’s eyebrows rose. “And you don’t want one.”
Abby shifted uncomfortably. “Actually, I wouldn’t mind. Even if I stopped the pill now it’s not like I’m going to get pregnant right away. I like the idea of Jasper having a brother or sister close to his age, you know?”
“Yeah.”
“But here’s the thing. This time around there has to be a ring on my finger first.”
“So Dink asked you again.”
She gave a sentimental sigh. “We’re taking your advice and heading to the courthouse to see Oliver in three weeks if your parents can arrange a flight that soon. We already applied for the license. You’ll be there won’t you?”
“Try to stop me.”
Abby laughed. “Good. Then afterwards we’ll have an open reception at the tavern. Nothing fancy.”
“What about a honeymoon?”
“We don’t have the time or the money for a honeymoon right now.”
“I could watch Jasper for a night or two so you can have a little time alone if you want?”
“Thanks, but your mom already offered. She can’t wait.”
“Yeah, she’ll have fun.”
“I hope so. He’s not as easy to handle as he was three months ago.”
“She’ll manage. She raised Dink and me, didn’t she?” Charley smiled and shook her head. “So you’re getting married.”
“Looks like it. Now — getting back to you,” Abby said with bouncing eyebrows. “You’ve roped your own stallion. Planning to ride him to exhaustion while he’s here? I can’t wait to see how your parents handle that.”
Funny, but Charley didn’t share her anticipation. How was she going to tell them that she was sexually involved in a short-term, no strings attached affair with a summer transplant? There was no way to put a positive spin on it and yet she wanted Drake, she couldn’t help it, for however long she could have him. If she didn’t seize her moment with him, however brief it might be, she’d be haunted for the rest of her life. Of that she was certain.
• • •
Drake parked outside the Pine Tree Tavern and sat looking at the front of the building for a minute, reading all the neon in the windows and the folksy little signs carved in wood along the porch before opening his door.
Walking behind his car, he reached out to strum the taut strap that anchored the canoe to his roof, causing a deep reverberating twang. That started the theme from the movie The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly playing ominously in his head as he climbed the wooden steps. Drake shook his head and laughed at himself. Talk about overkill. Hashing things out with Charley’s brother wasn’t going to be pleasant but the likelihood that things would descend into a bloody shootout was next to nil.
• • •
Dink glanced over when the door opened and frowned when he saw who it was. He turned and scanned the bar for a quiet spot then jerked his head at a back table, well away from the other customers.
Drake nodded and made his way back with his head held high. Dink carried two beers over, sliding one in front of Drake before dropping into the opposite chair.
He took a long swallow then pinned Drake with a speculative eye. “So you wanted to get this out of the way too huh?”
Drake kicked back and picked up his own beer. “God yes.”
The corner of Dink’s mouth twitched but he refused to smile. Toying with his glass instead, he slid his fingers up and down the damp sides. “I’ve gotta tell ya, it was a shock catching you two in the act yesterday.”
Drake’s eyebrow rose at that. “Say again?”
“We flew right over you when you were on the rocks, damn it.”
Drake fought hard to keep his face impassive but it wasn’t easy to keep the smile down. “You didn’t see anything.”
“I sure as hell did.” Dink swelled with irritation. “Are you trying to tell me that I imagined you on top of my sister?”
“I don’t think I can sell that one. No, what I’m saying is that you didn’t see anything because we weren’t having sex. The fire interrupted us. No time for the afterglow.”
Dink’s eyes hardened to sharp points and he growled, “Don’t fuck with me, or my sister. I don’t appreciate the cavalier attitude, you prick.”
Drake leaned forward just as menacingly and growled back, “And I don’t appreciate your interference. You might think you have some right to force your nose into Charley’s business, a point we obviously disagree on, but stay the hell out of mine.”
“I will if you keep your hands off of my sister.”
“No.”
“No?”
“No. Hell no!”
Dink smiled, then chuckled and Drake sat back in surprise. This was not the reaction he expected.
“What’s so funny?” Drake asked suspiciously.
Dink scratched behind his ear and kicked back. “Charley basically told me the same thing.”
Suddenly all was right in Drake’s world. “No kidding?”
“Oh yeah.” Dink took a swallow of beer then went on. “I tried the concerned brother routine — obligatory,” he added with a smirk. “But it didn’t work. Charley can be pretty stubborn when she wants something. I could tell right away there was nothing I could say that would change her mind about getting involved with you.”
“So what was this all about?” Drake asked, circling his finger between them.
“I hoped you might be reasonable. The thought of you two hooking up gives me acid reflux. We don’t look at things the same way you do back in the ’burbs — which is the point I was trying to make to my sister.” Dink shrugged and took another swallow. “But don’t think I won’t drag you out back and kick the living shit out of you if you hurt her. She’s like an M & M.”
Drake frowned. “I’m not following.”
Dink sighed. “Charley’s got this thin protective coating hiding a sweet vulnerable center. She’d never admit it. Hell, she might not even know it.” Dink idly coaxed individual droplets down his glass. “So I add muscle to her bluster. It keeps her safe from other goons like Ryan. They’re all over the damn place.” Dink glanced up with a snort. “I’m sure you heard I could be a hard ass when it comes to my sister.”
The corner of Drake’s mouth rose slightly. “It was mentioned.”
“Yet, you came looking for me anyhow, right away. I suppose I can respect that. You obviously care enough about my sister to deal with me.”
Drake didn’t bother denying it. “I do care about Charley — a lot.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“So, are we good? Any objections to me bringing Charley back here for dinner tonight?”
Dink snorted and waved him off. “Like I could stop her anyway.”
• • •
Charley looked rumpled and surprised when she pulled back the curtain to find Drake peering through the window at her.
“Were you napping?” he asked when she pulled the door open to him.
“I dozed off. Come on in.”
He stepped inside and hooked her around the waist, taking her into a graceful twirl.
Charley’s toes only grazed the polished floor as Drake spun her. Coming to a stop, he cut off her laughter with a kiss.
“Come on. I’m taking you out,” said Drake.
“Where?”
“Pine Tree Tavern.”
Charley backed away. “Oh no, I’d rather eat here.”
Drake tilted his head and studied her for a beat. Then the corner of his mouth twitched up. “You’re afraid to face your brother.”
“Am not,” Charley said indignantly. “I already had it out with Dink, thank you very much.”
“So did I.”
She didn’t expect that. “You did?”
“I just came from there. Everything’s fine.”
Her eyes narrowed uncertainly. “I don’t know.”
“What’s the problem?”
“This is a small town.”
“Yeah?” he said slowly.
“Well, I have neighbors.”
“Um … still waiting.”
“You spent the night here,” she said, her hand rolling in time with her nodding.
“Still not following.”
She expelled a big sigh. “Marian Baxter lives right next door.”
He gave her a blank look. “I don’t know her.”
“Well, she knows you.”
“How the hell?”
“Because she doesn’t miss anything. Marian stares out her picture window like it’s a television and she saw us come back here yesterday, and you leaving this morning. She’s been watching me like a hawk all day long.” She gave him a significant look.
“And she’s going to know we had sex?”
“Exactly.”
He snorted. “Who cares?”
Charley sputtered. “I grew up in front of her. I don’t know, it just feels weird. And on top of that she’s best friends with Mom, only the unofficial president of our local network of busy bodies.”
Drake stared at her, shaking his head. “So you’re more afraid of gossip than heights, fires, and picking up strange men in the middle of the woods?”
“I’m not afraid and I didn’t pick you up.”
He smiled and reached out to tweak her chin. “Sure you did.”
Charley rolled her eyes and blew out another deep breath. “Let’s just say that I’m uncomfortable.”
“You know how you shut down the gossip?”
“How?”
“We show up together in public. Get it out in the open. Once that’s done there’s nothing more to talk about. We’ll be old news and they’ll move on to something else.”
“That might work,” she said, giving it some thought.
“Come on, I’m hungry.” Drake gave Charley another quick kiss, then turned her around and prodded her over to the pair of shoes sitting in front of the couch.
“Put those on so we can go out and flaunt our relationship to all your nosy neighbors.”
Charley spun back and stared at him. “Do you know how strange you are?”
Drake laughed. “Nope, but I’m sure you’ll tell me all about it.” With that, he turned her around again and gave her fanny an affectionate pat as he sent her forward.
• • •
“Feel free to grope me in there if you think it’ll help,” Drake said with a teasing grin as they walked up the steps to the Tavern.
Charley rolled her eyes. “The more guys seem to change, the more things stay the same.”
Drake laughed and caught the door, holding it open for her. He followed her in with his hand conspicuously riding on the small of her back.
The place was hopping. They stood for a moment, scanning the room for an open table. Then Drake noticed Tucker and Heidi at the back. They were waving them over.
“You all right with that?” he asked Charley when she noticed them too.
“Why not? We might not get a table otherwise.”
Drake smiled and slid his arm confidently around Charley’s waist. Screw ambiguity and gossip. As he steered her right through the middle of everyone, he noted with satisfaction all the eyes following them.
There, they’d make their declaration. Now people would talk about them for a day or two at most before their interest would wane and he and Charley could be ignored again.
“You’re enjoying this,” Charley hissed as Drake steered her between tables.
“Let it go, you know my reasons,” he said softly.
Tucker stood as they approached. “Busy place. Join us?”
“Thanks.” Drake pulled out a chair for Charley and got her settled before he took the one next to her. “How you doing, Heidi?”
“I’m good,” she said and smiled at them both, obviously tickled to see them together. “Tucker was just telling me about your adventure yesterday. I can’t believe it.”
Drake sat back with a smile and let Charley share their story, adding a comment here and there.
After that, the discussion turned to food. They held a quick conference and the consensus was to order a large pizza and a pitcher of beer just to make things easy. They were ready when a harried Abby stopped by for their drink order. They gave her both and she went to get their pitcher.
Heidi was telling Drake about the brochure she was creating using the photos she took when Drake overheard Charley asking Tucker a question. Drake turned to eavesdrop.
“Know of anyone with a truck for sale — cheap?” Charley asked.
Drake caught Tucker’s eye and shook his head slowly.
Tucker frowned. “Sorry, Charley. I’ll keep an ear open, okay?”
“Thanks.”
Tucker’s eyes returned to Drake. “Pool table just opened up. What do you say?”
“Let’s go.”
They went to pick out a couple of cues. As Tucker dropped a few coins into the table and released the balls, he cocked an eyebrow at Drake and said, “Now you better tell me why I just lied to Charley.”