“You look like fun,” Kyle said.“But you’re marriage material.”
“I just got out of a bad marriage.The last thing I want to do is jump into another.”
“That’s what my ex said.A year later, she was engaged.”
“Is she happy now?”
Kyle squinted at her in an expression that made him look more like his brother.She wanted to ask him how Paul had been shot, and other burning questions, but she didn’t.Their conversation had discomfited her, though she hadn’t heard all of it.She knew they’d exchanged insults, and their late-night wrestling match hadn’t seemed all that friendly.The bad blood between them was none of her business.She had enough family drama of her own to deal with.Plus, she couldn’t afford to act tooserious.
She wasnota bunny, damn it.Her interest in Paul was purely sexual.She wasn’t going to fall in love with him just because he’d built her daughter a lemonade stand.He wasn’t going to fall for her, either.This was a meaningless summer fling.
So why were they going out on a real date?
She finished her coffee with a queasy feeling.Kyle had planted a seed of uncertainty.He’d brought her insecurities back to the surface.She’d been worried about the intensity between her and Paul.She’d warned herself not to get attached.Two days ago, she’d decided not to date him at all.Somehow, that minor conflict had faded into the background.She’d disregarded her concerns about his secretive nature.Logic had flown out the window and lust had taken over.
Kyle retreated into the opposite cabin with her coffee mug.She made a big breakfast and prepared two plates, covered with foil, to deliver next door.Kyle accepted this peace offering with an effusive thanks.
She realized, too late, that it was exactly what abunnywould do.Two hours later, Kyle drove away in his expensive car.She wasn’t sorry to see him leave.
The rest of the day passed slowly.Paul emerged from his cabin with bloodshot eyes.When she offered him an iced coffee, he shook his head.Emily was eager to revive the lemonade stand, but Vanessa didn’t have the energy for it.She didn’t want to look at another lemon.They packed a light lunch and went to the swimming beach with Emily’s new floaty instead.She figured Paul would appreciate the peace and quiet.
After a few hours in the sun, they returned to the cabin for a nap.Paul walked to the campground to shower and came back with a much fresher look.He wore his cowboy hat pulled low, like always, but she could see a ghost of a smile on his face.She leaned her forearms against the porch railing to watch his approach.
“Feeling human again?”
“Barely.”
“Do you want to postpone our date?”
“No.”
“I’m going to take Emily to my dad’s.You can pick me up there.”
“Okay,” he said.“What time?”
“Seven?”
“I’ll be ready.”
She gave him the address and retreated inside the cabin.Stomach fluttering, she considered her outfit for the evening.She’d sold most of her designer clothes before she left Denver, but she still had a few nice outfits packed away.She searched through her luggage for a dress that suited the occasion, and her mood.
An hour later, she was at her father’s place.Emily ran to greet Jackson with open arms, Penelope clutched in one hand.
While Jackson took Emily inside to play with her dollhouse, Vanessa gathered her garment bag and makeup.It was about one hundred degrees in the full sunlight, with heavy humidity, so she hadn’t bothered to get ready ahead of time.She walked into the garage with her arms full and her skin damp with perspiration.
“Why don’t you let me carry that?”
She startled at the sound of her father’s voice and almost tripped over the garment bag.Eric Nava stood in the doorway with a welcoming expression.Although their last conversation hadn’t solved their differences, it had ended the long stretch of silence between them.Instead of bristling at his suggestion, she handed him her bag, and she didn’t object when he offered a cold drink from the fridge.
“Thanks,” she said, gulping water.
“I know you have the cabin for the next few weeks,” he said.“What are your plans for the rest of the summer?”
Vanessa still resented his interference with the vacation rental.She hadn’t asked for his help, and she didn’t appreciate feeling beholden to him.She also didn’t want to admit that she had no specific plans, and very little money.“I’ll figure something out.”
“Jackson said you were broke.”
“Jackson should mind his own business.”
