8

For two days, he tried without much success to concentrate on his work. Raine filled his mind every waking moment, and flitted into his dreams at night. The feeling was powerful and all-consuming…and it made him shake in his woodsman’s boots. He couldn’t afford to let himself feel so deeply for this woman.

Far too soon, she’d return to her real life and the hard-earned career that awaited her.

Getting too close to her on an emotional level wouldn’t be smart. He’d already gotten far more involved than was a good idea.

On the evening of the second day after the Pismo trip, Dec had started putting together a simple dinner when his cell phone buzzed. A few minutes later, he rang off and dropped into the nearest chair, wearing a grin so big it hurt his face.

He hadn’t held out much hope of hearing from Roland Mills, owner of Mills Gallery, Santa Barbara—and certainly not this soon. He’d only shown the man his work a few weeks back…not long before Raine arrived in Cambria.

The bear he’d been working on when she’d crashed into his world had been commissioned by Mills, and the finished sculpture convinced the man to showcase his work. A successful show with Mills Gallery would be a major step in Dec’s goal of making an impression on the art world.

He chuckled. As it turned out, breaking Grizz’s ear had been a good thing. The creative fix he’d come up with had made the bear sculpture unique. No one else would have a ragged-eared grizzly bear, because most artists tended to seek perfection. But after taking a close look at the damage Raine had caused, Dec had known he had to retain the look. The ear appeared to have been lost in a fight with some other wild creature. It wasn’t entirely missing, just ragged and torn…and it looked amazing.

He’d have to remember to thank Raine for barging in on him that morning.

He hadn’t seen her since their visit to Pismo. And now he’d be crazy busy up until the art show. Mills wanted as many more pieces as Dec could finish before the big day. He only had a little time to turn out a selection of carvings no less stunning than the bear.

But somehow he still had to keep his promise to his dad and Mayor Quinn.

He huffed out a frustrated breath. Two weeks ago, he’d been all out of sorts at being asked to “babysit” a pampered city girl. Now he found himself disappointed that he wouldn’t be able to spend as much time with Raine.

In truth, less time on his hands was probably a good thing. With his career finally taking off in the right direction, now was not the time to be distracted by a woman—and certainly not one who had zero intention of sticking around Cambria. Dec couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. This beautiful area of the California coast would always be his home.

Raine had big plans and an important career in her future.

So did he. He’d have to keep that in mind. No matter how beautiful or how appealing, he had to keep her at arm’s length, despite the constant, overwhelming urge to pull her close and hold her tight. That would be a big mistake.

He’d yielded to that temptation in Pismo and still couldn’t forget the feel of her in his arms, couldn’t shake the persistent longing to hold her again. Without any effort on her part, and probably without wanting to, Raine was invading his entire world.

Not liking the trouble in his soul, he stepped outside and walked to the clearing where he’d first met the visiting Pasadena “princess”—not to work, but to seek a bit of peace. He always seemed to find it here, in the midst of nature, with his hands busy and his mind often turned to quiet prayerfulness. Now he wandered the area, breathing a petition for tranquility of mind and for answers regarding the woman who seemed to be effortlessly gaining a hold on his heart.

“Lord, You know I can’t go there now, right? I don’t have time, and I’m not ready—not by far. I’m asking for Your strength, Father, ’cause I’m sure not finding any of my own.”

He kicked at the ground with the toe of his boot, and a small object zipped into the air and landed a few feet away. Dec picked it up and grinned.

The missing piece of poor Grizz’s ear.

He stood, turning the small chunk this way and that in his hands, and the grin faded to a quiet, reflective smile. The splintered wood no longer held any resemblance to an ear. His natural, creative instincts opened his eyes to a possibility he could not resist. Dec’s heartbeat quickened. He slipped the small object into his pocket and headed back to the house. He’d be working on his front porch tonight.

His heart, mind, and dreams weren’t enough. Raine had worked her way into every part of his being, including his creativity.

So much for keeping her at arm’s length.

****

Raine picked up a gorgeous glass sand dollar in shades of blue and purple. Absolutely exquisite! She turned it over and caught her breath. Etched into the back side, a pair of angel wings added a divine touch to the art glass.

Miss Angie.

She’d been watching for a perfect gift for the sweet lady whose gentle smile and words of wisdom grew dearer upon every encounter. She’d finally found it, here in Harmony.

“Raine, is that you?”

Startled, she looked up just in time to absorb the impact of a tiny ball of energy with spiky auburn hair and eyes too big for her face.

Returning Shay’s exuberant greeting, she grinned. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in Cambria tickling someone’s toes?”

“I closed the shop today. Something in Harmony was calling my name…and now I know what it was. What’ve you got there?”

Raine handed over the sand dollar. “I was thinking of getting this for Miss Angie.”

Shay squealed. “Yes, yes, yes! It’s perfect!” She placed it back in Raine’s hand. “So pay for it, and let’s go.”

With a lighthearted laugh, Raine obeyed. Her day had just taken off in a brand-new direction.

They left the little shop where, before her fascinated eyes, the glass artists had performed the intricate work of creating a vase in shades of teal and blue that might have been siphoned right out of the ocean.

Shay danced around like an excited child. “I’m so glad I ran into you. We have to spend the day together, you know. Oh—” She paused for half a heartbeat. “You don’t have plans, do you?”

Raine didn’t have time to shake her head.

Shay pulled her along, headed across the narrow road. “Never mind. If you do, change them, OK? This is our day.”

“I have no plans more important than being with you,” Raine answered through a burst of delighted laughter.

Miss Angie had recommended a trip to Harmony—population eighteen—to see the glassworks shop.

Raine made the short drive down Highway 1, planning to visit the tiny community and then return to the lodge. She had little desire to make another pass through Cambria’s numerous tourist-targeted retailers. The lodge had become home to her. The place resonated a subtle peace and comfort that Raine absorbed like a thirsty sponge. She’d be happy to never leave the grounds of Paradise Pines for the duration of her stay.

But with Shay in the picture, enjoying a bit of girl time seemed a perfect way to spend the day.

“Let’s leave your car here and jet into Cayucos in mine.” The vivacious woman stopped talking barely long enough to round the hood of the vehicle and bounce into the driver’s seat. “It’s just down the road, and—oh! Do you like antiques? They have the absolute best antique stores in Cayucos.”

Raine was firmly ensconced in the passenger seat of the SUV, buckled in, and rolling down the road before she could properly take in the sudden change of plans. She bit back a grin. Being with Shay Light was like being on a rollercoaster—she always came away a little dizzy, but exhilarated and ready for another ride.

“Nothing like a little sister time, is there?” Shay half sang the question, obviously jazzed about the turn of events.

Sisters.

Raine pulled in a calming breath and planted a smile on her face, refusing to allow the word to ruin her day yet again. Skye was gone, and as badly as it hurt, she couldn’t keep falling apart at every mention of the word sister.

“We’ll have fun,” she murmured.

Shay seemed unaware of anything amiss.

And they did have an amazing time together. Keeping up with Shay as she bounded from one shop to another and from booth to booth was a challenge. Over and over Raine found her hand captured in the other woman’s smaller one and her body hauled unceremoniously across the floor toward something she absolutely had to see.

Her tummy had long since set up a fuss for lunch when Shay appeared at her side once again, a chain draped over one closed hand.

“Raine, look.” Something in the quiet tone, so unlike her friend’s normal exuberance, sent a sizzle of something electric through Raine’s heart. “Don’t ask me why, but you have to have this.”

She opened her hand under a lamp on a nearby shelf.

Raine stared, transfixed.

Lamplight caught the delicate glass wings of the butterfly on Shay’s palm, lending the illusion of movement.

For a second, Raine thought the creature was real, but quickly realized it was a fan pull made of delicate, hand-blown glass quite similar to those she’d been admiring in Harmony. “It’s exquisite!” She touched one trembling finger to the brightly colored glass and blinked back hot tears.

“I’m buying it for you.” Shay squeezed her hand. “When I saw it…” She paused, captured her bottom lip between her teeth, and made a charmingly childlike face. “Don’t laugh, OK? I swear I heard a tiny whisper in my ear. Or”—She shrugged, and a shadow of uncertainty softened her voice—“maybe it was in my head. I’m really not sure, but I definitely heard it, Raine. I did.”

“Wh-what did it say?” Doubting Shay’s statement never crossed her mind.

“What I heard was ‘Tell Raine it’s time to fly.’” Wide eyes nearly consumed Shay’s pixie face.

The room spun in a sickening circle. Raine forced a couple of deep breaths, while Shay’s words boomeranged in her mind like a persistent echo.

“It’s time to fly.”

“Time to fly.”

“Fly…”

“Fly…”

Raine gripped the counter under white knuckles, her vision fading in and out.

Shay’s voice mingled with that of the alarmed shop owner, reaching Raine’s consciousness from a distant, faraway place.