Three
Sam found that work as a detective was feast or famine in a small town. Now, when he wanted to get in touch with Nicole, a string of burglaries on a residential street kept him busy. He didn’t even have time to return his mother’s call about their Sunday family dinner. She wanted to make sure he was coming. Of course he was. Not one of his siblings said no to Ella Marsden. Now that Mike and Erin were married, it was a bigger gathering than ever before. Add Erin’s baby . . . and the pressure was on for Sam. But he could handle his mother, and he’d be there because he knew what was good for him. Besides, he loved his family no matter what.
He ended up spending that Friday night on a stakeout, watching for the teens who were breaking into parked cars and vandalizing them for the hell of it. Saturday consisted of viewing hours of video of the same street, courtesy of a paranoid homeowner who’d had cameras installed outside his home. Good thing, since they’d caught a glimpse of a lone car coming into the neighborhood after midnight a week ago when the vandalism had started.
Sam was exhausted and needed a good night’s sleep that lasted a solid twelve hours. Unfortunately, he had just enough time to shower, change, and pick up his obligatory date for the fund-raiser. His stomach churned, for more reasons than why he’d argued with Cara about it in the first place. He hadn’t had the chance to explain the situation to Nicole at Cuppa Café, he didn’t have her cell phone number, he hadn’t run into her again, and he had no time to stop by her place to talk before he picked up Margie Stinson.
He wasn’t looking forward to running into Nicole tonight with another woman on his arm. His throat constricted at the thought and he shoved his fingers beneath the collar of his tuxedo shirt and tugged, needing air.
Though he and Nicole barely knew each other, that kiss changed everything for him, and he was sure she wanted to explore things further too. They might not have a commitment between them, but Sam wasn’t a serial dater. Thanks to his mother’s and sister’s influence, he understood and respected women. As a result, he had a gnawing feeling that tonight was going to be memorable, and not in any way he would have wanted.
When Nicole moved to Serendipity, she hadn’t thought she’d need a formal dress, but having been raised to always be prepared, she’d saved her favorite one and stored it in the back of her closet. She dressed in a sapphire-blue dress with silver shoes, not allowing herself to second-guess or change.
Macy had given her the address for the country club where the event was being held, and as she pulled up to the filled parking lot, nerves assailed her. She didn’t know anyone here, not really. Despite the urge to turn around and go home, she continued on to the valet and gave them her car.
As a man took her small Mercedes and drove off, Nicole had no choice but to gather her courage and head inside. She walked in and the first thing she noticed was a table with beautiful red and white flowers—red for heart disease, she assumed—and picked up the heart-shaped card with her name on it. Table five. Which meant nothing to her, since other than Macy, she had no friends here. Well, there was Sam, but she didn’t know what to think about things between them. She put the place card in her silver clutch and made her way into the lobby area, looking for Macy.
The first familiar face wasn’t Macy but Erin, Sam’s sister, the woman Nicole’s twin had stalked and nearly run down with her car. For someone who’d given birth a few months ago, she looked amazing in an emerald-green sheath dress. The green brought out her eyes, which were so much like her brother’s.
Erin she could handle, but her now-husband Cole? He was another story. Nicole still vividly recalled him bursting into the small interrogation room at the police station, yelling at her and demanding answers. Only Sam’s presence had reassured her, and though Cole had eventually come to believe that Nicole only wanted to help, he was still intimidating enough that she’d like to avoid him if she could.
She turned away from the couple and toward the bar, only to hear Erin call out her name.
Okay then. She’d have to deal with them after all.
Straightening her shoulders and tightening her grip on her purse, Nicole turned to find Erin walking up to her.
“I thought it was you,” Erin said, her tone welcoming. “Sam and Macy said you’d moved to town. Somehow I missed seeing you at Joe’s, but I heard you were there.”
Nicole was unable to hold back a smile at Erin’s warm rambling. It didn’t seem like she held a grudge about her sister. “How have you been?” Nicole asked, still wary.
“Great. Motherhood is amazing. You have to meet my baby girl.”
At that, Nicole relaxed her muscles and her guard. Erin had been pregnant last time Nicole had seen her. “Congratulations. What’s your daughter’s name?” she asked.
“Angel. And she is one. Unless she’s crying.” Erin laughed, but the love and maternal devotion in her eyes caused an unexpected lump of emotion to settle in Nicole’s throat.
“I’m glad things are going well for you,” Nicole said, meaning it.
“Thank you. I’m happier than I thought I could be. Marriage is amazing,” she said with a wink.
“That I wouldn’t know,” Nicole murmured. She’d broken her engagement in Manhattan and had every intention of leaving both thoughts and discussion about it there. “But I’m happy for you. After everything you went through, you deserve smooth sailing.”
Erin met her gaze. “So do you. I’m not sure I ever got the chance to thank you for coming here in the first place to warn me about your sister. That was . . . brave, and it couldn’t have been easy.”
Nicole sighed. The truth was she hadn’t known Erin or anyone in Serendipity when she’d driven here to warn her. Her goals in doing so had been twofold, and she might as well be up front with Erin.
“All I wanted was for my sister to get the help she needed, and I didn’t want anyone to get hurt.” And she definitely hadn’t wanted her twin to do anything she couldn’t undo, or would have to live with for the rest of her life.
Erin nodded in understanding.
“I should thank you for advocating for Victoria’s mental health,” Nicole said to the woman who, at the time of the incident, had also been an assistant district attorney. As the victim, she hadn’t been in charge of the case, but Nicole knew Erin had pushed hard for her sister to get help. “You could have just come down on the side of putting her in jail.”
“It was the right thing to do,” Erin said.
A low growl behind her told Nicole that Erin’s husband didn’t agree.
“Cut it out,” Erin said. “It’s over and done with. Nicole’s living here now, so let’s all play nice.”
Cole wrapped his arms around her waist and nodded at Nicole. “Welcome to town,” he said, sounding as if he just might mean it.
“Thank you.”
“Hi, all!” Macy brought her bubbly personality, taking the pressure off Nicole of dealing with Cole and talk of Victoria’s illness.
“Hi,” Erin and Nicole said at once.
“Everyone looks beautiful!” Macy hugged each of them. “Well, not Mr. Sullen, but you are looking handsome.” She pulled the gruff man into a hug.
“I’ll take that as my cue to mingle,” Cole muttered, extricating himself from Macy’s grip.
Erin rolled her eyes. He patted her cheek and walked away. “You scare him,” she said to Macy.
The other woman laughed. “How’s that sweet angel of yours?” Macy asked. “Get it? Her daughter’s name is Angel,” she explained to Nicole.
The new mother beamed and launched into a description of things only a new mother would appreciate. Any time Tyler had brought up babies, Nicole would lapse into panic mode. Now she understood why. She had only to look at Erin’s beaming face when she looked at her husband to know—Tyler hadn’t been the right man for Nicole to start a family with.
“What table are you sitting at?” Nicole asked, when they’d finished their conversation.
“We’re at three. With my brothers and parents,” Erin said.
“Five,” Macy said, winking at Nicole. “Don’t you worry, I took charge of the whole situation. I wouldn’t leave you alone. We single women have to stick together.”
Nicole smiled, finally understanding why Macy had been so quick to embrace a friendship with her. It wasn’t just that Macy was warm and generous—she was—but there was more to the dynamic going on. The changes in Erin’s life meant she and Macy didn’t do as many things together anymore. Which meant Macy needed Nicole’s friendship as much as Nicole needed Macy’s. The knowledge eased a painful knot she’d had in her chest since walking in here feeling out of place.
“So, Nicole, what will you be doing here in town?” Erin asked.
“I’m looking into opening a specialty bakery, but not right away. I want to start small and see how things catch on,” Nicole explained.
“Tell her the rest.” Macy nudged her with her arm.
She’d had time to fill Macy in about her talk with Trisha the other morning.
“Well, I’ve spoken to Trisha at the coffee shop, and she said she would be interested in taking in my items and selling them, and Macy said she’d approach her father about doing the same at the restaurant.”
“What kind of specialty items?” Erin asked.
“Cupcakes, cookies, pastries . . .”
“Aunt Lulu bakes pies and cakes, not pastries, so I think it would be fine,” Macy immediately chimed in.
Erin narrowed her gaze. “Are you sure about that?”
Nicole blinked. “Is there a problem?”
Macy shook her head. “Nope. I think Aunt Lulu and Nicole will complement each other perfectly.”
“Well, I love the idea! Where would you work? I hear you’re living over Joe’s, and that kitchen is tiny.”
That was the issue Nicole had run up against, at least in her head, and maybe subconsciously that was the reason she hadn’t filled up the place with food and baking necessities.
“I’m not sure . . . yet. I’m working on it.” She tapped the side of her head. She was thinking it through, but so far she hadn’t come up with any ideas.
“You’ll figure something out.” Macy’s gaze drifted to a point beyond them, and her eyes widened. “Listen, I need to go check in with my aunt. She’s looking a little lost, and when Aunt Lulu is at loose ends, trouble happens. I’ll see you at the table,” she said to Nicole, then waved at Erin and walked away.
Erin shook her head and laughed. “They’re both characters, Macy and her aunt.” She glanced over Nicole’s shoulder, her eyes opening wide. “Sam!” She waved at her brother, indicating he should join them.
Nicole’s stomach immediately spun like she was on a roller coaster. Not in a panicked, get me off this ride kind of way, but in a this is awesome, I could stay on here for another loop kind of way. She couldn’t recall a time when she’d felt so excited about a man. Affected by hearing his name, psyched to see him, flushed, silly and girly.This was why she’d broken off her engagement, because if she and Tyler didn’t share this in the beginning, what would be left when the newness wore off?
She pivoted to greet the man who starred in not just her dreams but her fantasies too, only to see he wasn’t alone. She blinked but the fact remained, there was a woman by his side. A pretty blonde, her arm hooked through Sam’s. Nicole had to admit, with their light hair and good looks, they made a striking couple, and more than a few heads turned as they made their way across the room.
Nicole’s stomach, along with her hopes, plummeted at the sight, and she now knew what Sam had been about to tell her the other day. She drew her shoulders back, determined to get through this with grace and class. Her disappointment could come later, when she was alone.
Erin hugged her brother. “You two know each other, right?” Erin asked, oblivious to the undercurrent between them.
“Of course. It’s good to see you again.” Swallowing over her unreasonable hurt and disappointment, Nicole managed a politeness she didn’t feel.
Sam’s gaze remained steady on hers, but she didn’t let herself make eye contact.
“Sam, aren’t you going to introduce me?” his date asked.
Nicole forced a smile and waited for the inevitable.
Sam physically felt Nicole’s discomfort, and he wished she would at least look up and see him, understand he wasn’t happy about this situation either.
“Margie, you know my sister, Erin, and this is Nicole Farnsworth. She’s new in town. Nicole, this is Margie Stinson. Her parents are big donors for tonight’s event,” he said, hoping she’d have to look at him now.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Nicole said, her voice sweet, covering the obvious hurt Sam knew he’d inflicted. “That’s wonderful of your parents. It’s a very worthy cause. In fact, that’s how Macy persuaded me to come tonight.” She paused and glanced around. “Speaking of Macy, I need to go find her.”
“Nicole—” Erin called her name, obviously sensing something was wrong.
Nicole had already walked away, but not before Sam caught the wounded look in her eyes, and he muttered a curse.
His sister glanced at him, clearly confused.
Sam didn’t have time for Erin’s curiosity or Margie’s arm still entwined with his. With every step Nicole took away from him, Sam felt opportunity and something more slipping away.
“I need to see to something,” he said, tipping his head in the direction of where Nicole had gone, shooting his sister a pleading look.
Erin narrowed her eyes, suspicion in her expression.
“Honey? I would love a drink,” Margie said, oblivious to anyone other than herself, as she’d been since he’d picked her up.
Honey?
Erin choked over a laugh.
“A white wine spritzer,” she continued. “No, make that a vodka with a splash of cranberry juice. No, a mimosa.”
Just as on the car ride over, Margie talked to fill up space. Earlier she’d discussed her dress, her shoes, and her shopping, leaving Sam unable to get a word in edgewise. Sam thought she talked just to hear her own voice. She didn’t need much in the way of conversation, only an escort on her arm and an ear for her long-winded stories, which was fine with him. Her parents must have catered to each and every whim she’d ever had for her to be so self-absorbed.
“Sam, why don’t you go get us all drinks,” Erin said.
“I’ll go with you—” Margie immediately said.
“No, Margie. The line looks long. Stay here and keep me company. I’m home with a baby, and I really could use adult conversation,” his sister lied smoothly.
Sam shot her a look filled with gratitude. He didn’t miss the mouthed You owe me one. He did and figured babysitting and diaper changing was in his future. Well worth it, he thought, as he took off after Nicole.
By now, the bar area as well as the ballroom had filled up and he focused on searching for a deep blue dress or glossy, long dark hair. He’d noticed her immediately when he’d walked into the room: her lush curves accentuated by the gown, her beautiful smile a draw, at least for him. He found her now, disappearing out the door into the area where the restrooms must be.
He caught up with her in the nearly empty hall. Just a few women were walking out of the ladies’ room. Sam waited until they were alone and stepped up behind her.
“It’s not what you think.”
She flinched and turned, clearly startled, at the sound of his voice. “It doesn’t matter what it is. You don’t owe me an explanation.” She pivoted toward the restroom.
“Don’t. Give me a minute. Please.” He heard the plea in his voice.
With a sigh, she stepped away from the door and led them to a quiet corner of the lobby. With people milling around, they weren’t alone, but at least she was with him. And she was listening.
“Margie’s parents are huge donors. Cara’s in charge of selling tickets for the station, and she begged me to take Margie. Hell, she basically insinuated that the Stinsons would pull out if I didn’t. You weren’t living here yet when I agreed, and even then, I did it under duress.”
Nicole had folded her arms across her chest in a protective manner earlier. She didn’t uncross them now.
His gut churned and acid flowed in his chest.
“Like I said, you don’t owe me an explanation.” Her lips twitched a little. “But . . .” She drew out the word. “I’m glad you rushed over here to give me one.”
He released the breath he’d damned well been aware he was holding. “I wanted to tell you at Cuppa Café when you asked me about tonight.”
“But you got called away.”
He nodded. “And I don’t have your phone number.” He pulled out his cell and held it out to her, determined to rectify that right now.
She accepted the phone and programmed her information into it before handing it back. “Sam . . .”
He looked into her eyes, the blue appearing darker tonight, which seemed to match her suddenly serious tone. “What is it?”
“This isn’t easy to say.”
He didn’t like the sound of that.
She exhaled and his gaze was drawn to her pink, parted lips. He already knew what she tasted like. He knew how soft her mouth was beneath his, what kind of little sounds she made in the back of her throat when that kiss got out of control. No way was she about to walk away.
Was she?
“I moved here to start over, and I left a whole host of complications behind.” Her eyes glazed with the memory of something that clearly wasn’t good.
Sam narrowed his gaze, but before he could respond, she continued.
“What I’m trying to say is that I’m not looking for anything serious or complicated now,” she said in a soft, apologetic voice. “But—”
He wasn’t looking for serious or complicated either. Still, she had something more to say, and he leaned in close. “But?” he asked.
“I do want something with you.”
He grinned at that, everything in him easing in ways he didn’t completely understand. “Good. Because I definitely want something with you. And after tonight, there won’t be any more obligations getting in the way.”
Many painful hours later, Sam drove Margie home from the fund-raiser. Nicole left earlier, after dancing with more single men than Sam thought Serendipity possessed, and because he had a date, there was nothing he could say or do.
That would end after tonight.
Margie still lived in her parents’ home, which shared a property line with Faith and Ethan’s house on the hill, both far from Sam’s family’s home on the opposite side of town. But economics had nothing to do with why he’d been ducking her advances for years. There was nothing about her he found appealing, not her personality or her looks from what he could see—and hear—because she hadn’t stopped talking since they left the country club. Luckily, the club was closer to her end of Serendipity, and soon he pulled into her driveway.
“. . . and I think your sister likes me, don’t you?” Margie asked.
Sam blinked, realizing he’d missed most of the one-sided conversation.
“Umm . . . I’m sure she does.” Actually, he figured Erin had as little tolerance for Margie as he had.
“Why don’t you come in for a drink?” She turned in the seat so she faced him, her ample cleavage plumping over her gown.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She waved away his concern, treating him to a whiff of her strong perfume, which he’d already been informed was Givenchy. “If you’re concerned about appearances, I have my own private entrance around back.”
Of course she did. Along with her own stipend, which meant she didn’t have to work. He wasn’t in her social class and her interest in Sam was purely sexual, which was why he didn’t feel bad turning her down. She certainly wouldn’t get her feelings hurt, but that didn’t mean he’d deliberately set out to be cruel.
He gripped the steering wheel in both hands. “That’s not it.”
“Oh, you’re shy!” She reached out a perfectly manicured hand and stroked his arm. “Good thing I’m not,” she whispered in what he supposed was meant to be a seductive voice.
God. He did not want to hurt her feelings any more than he wanted to have this conversation, but the woman couldn’t take a polite hint.
“Margie, I had a nice time tonight, but—”
“Oh, so did I! I always knew if I could persuade you to go out with me you’d see the potential.” She ran her hand down his arm.
He closed his eyes. “I don’t. I mean I just want to be friends.”
“Well, of course, silly. I want that too. Very good friends.” She dropped her hand to his thigh, and Sam jumped so high in his seat his head nearly hit the roof of the car. She made him want to grab for his gun, which he always had on him, he thought, laughing to himself. Though he really wasn’t amused.
He grasped her wrist before she could touch him anywhere else. “I only want to be friends,” he clarified. “I’m sorry, but—”
“I’m offering you everything . . .” She gestured from her cleavage on downward. “And you’re turning me down?” she asked, her voice rising. “Oh my God, you must be gay.”
He blinked in shock. “I’m not gay.” Although gay was preferable to her. “I’m just not interested that way. You’re a nice woman and I’m sure there’s someone out there who can make you very happy. It’s just not me.”
“Screw happy. I have everything I want except sex with a hot guy. What’s wrong with you that you don’t want to give me that?”
Sam stared at her, recognizing that she had more than one screw loose. “Like I said, I’m sure there’s someone out there for you.”
“I’ve always wanted you,” she said, composing herself again.
And clearly she wasn’t used to not getting what she wanted. So when he’d agreed to this date, she’d assumed they could be together. “But I don’t want you,” he said, deciding her persistence called for extreme measures.
She narrowed her gaze.
“I’m sorry,” he felt compelled to say again.
“Fine. I’m sure Rob Burnett will be interested since you aren’t.”
Sam couldn’t think of a better fit than Margie and Rob, the player. He remained silent, and with a huff of annoyance she flung open the car door, not waiting for him to get out or even react, and flounced—there wasn’t a better word for her gait—down the driveway and around back to her private entrance.
Sam shook his head and pulled out of the driveway, glad to have this night over and Margie Stinson out of his life so he could move on to what mattered.
Just the thought of Nicole, looking so damn beautiful in that blue dress that draped her curves, had all thoughts of any other women evaporating as if they’d never existed for him at all.