Finding Love in Forgotten Cove (Island County Series Book 1) (4 page)

The moment I saw Jason arrive with the flour in hand, I knew Gabby was in love with Jason more than life itself, and what was even better was that I saw the same look in his eyes. It had to be something in the island air. I remember being in awe at how happy—genuinely happy—he was to help her out of the bind. In my last relationship, even asking my fiancé to drop off my cell phone on his way to work was cause for WWIII. So few people realized it was the little things in life that foretold how a couple would handle the big things.

“I try not recruit people who I’ve only known for a number of weeks into horrendous tasks and you, my new friend, qualify.” I smiled.

“First of all, it wouldn’t be horrendous. I actually enjoy DIY projects. But let’s not get into it now. I see the anxiety raising just by mentioning the infamous task list.” Gabby took another sip of tea and gazed out the window for a few seconds before bringing her attention back to me. “Do you mind if I ask you something personal?”

I shook my head and waited. I knew she would no matter my answer, and I was trying to be more open in my life, as hard as it might be.

“I noticed the faint tan line on your engagement finger…” It was more of a statement than a question.

I looked down at my hand and sure enough. Clear as day, I had a pale ring of skin circling my finger where the mammoth stone once sat. That sparkling gem was now sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic.

Unexpected tears threatened to make an appearance, but I swallowed them down.

I wasn’t sad.

Angry? Yes.

Bewildered? Yes.

But sad? No.

I wouldn’t let myself be sad any longer. My father’s death showed me what true sorrow was and mourning a defunct relationship no longer qualified. Don’t get me wrong, when I first found out about my fiancé, my world shattered. Every part of my body hurt with the realization that the life I imagined living with the man I thought I knew and loved was forever over. It was gone, and I was left to pick up the pieces that no longer fit together.

But what saddened me more than the relationship ending was the way my fantasy of love died right along with it. Tanner Smoler basically ruined my happily ever after before I even got to have one.

And the worst part of all was that I had really low expectations to begin with. I knew Tanner was no Prince Charming, and I was okay with that because he made me feel good.

Most of the time.

“I was engaged to a man my dad couldn’t stand and he hadn’t even met him.” I tried to smile, but my lips froze in a straight line. “It ended a few months ago. It’s definitely for the better. And I’m almost over the entire fiasco. Today after class, I even noticed someone. A very hot someone. I haven’t paid attention to men since I started dating Tanner so I’ll take it as a sign of progress. Anyway, there was some guy at school today who had a body that should be illegal and the most adorable grin just to cinch the deal. Plus, he came equipped with a completely corny joke that was meant to be a motivational speech… so baby steps, I suppose. Aren’t you happy you asked?”

Gabby’s gaze held an excitement that worried me as my words settled over her. Nodding, she was unable to hide her mischievous grin. “Corny jokes? Interesting.”

“What’s interesting?”

“Do you enjoy hiking?”

“Yeah. What does that have to do with anything?”

“Strolls on the beach? Jet skiing, paddle boarding, or canoeing? How about trips to a lake house?” Her eyes glinted with a playfulness that couldn’t be contained. This girl had found herself a mission—a project—and somehow it was me. I wanted to slink deep into the cushions and comfort myself with her scones in private. I had no intention of coming back to the island to get involved with someone I’d leave behind at the end of the summer.

“What are you up to? It seems like nothing good,” I countered, refusing to take the bait.

“Oh, it’s good, alright… So you noticed someone at school?” She narrowed her eyes and her grin stayed firmly plastered in place.

“Well, I mean all the teachers noticed him. Apparently he’s the main attraction at the school or so I’m told.”

“Who’s the main attraction at school?” A man’s booming voice asked from down the hall.

I almost jumped out of my skin, and Gabby started laughing as I sprang from the couch. There was no way it could be him.

“This sounds like quite the topic I fell into.” His voice did nothing but create a war zone of butterflies inside me, which was completely unlike me. In fact, the very thought of a flitter or a flutter had never ever—
EVER
—entered my mind with anyone I’d dated or almost married.

Maybe that was the problem.

“A main attraction at summer school….hmmm. I’m guessing I landed at the right house to find Victoria…Aickens was it? I think that’s the last name Gabby gave me.”

Gabby looked completely amused, and I realized this must be the infamous Mason: The man on the ladder and the man who Gabby recommended to work on my house. Not that this was awkward or anything.

I got my bearings and took a deep breath in preparation to keep him far away.

“There’s no main attraction that’s a who. I was just talking about the—” I stuttered, glancing at Gabby.

Crap. Double crap.

“This I’ve got to hear,” he said, rounding the corner. His blue eyes connected with mine and his smile warmed my entire body. My gaze unexpectedly skated along his body at the same time my cheeks went three shades pinker. There was a definite ruggedness about him that drew me in. His broad shoulders and forearms were created because of work, not a gym, and I was enamored with the idea of working on the house with him.

And I shouldn’t be.

I turned toward Gabby and scowled as she hopped up from the couch. She looked absolutely delighted.

“Victoria meet Mason. Mason meet Tori. Although, I have a hunch you two have already met.” Gabby wiggled her brows, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

Mason’s smile stretched from ear to ear as he watched me dance around the topic of him and anything to do with—him.

“So you knew at the school you were coming here?” I asked, crossing my arms.

“Once you told me your name, I had a hunch. Yes. Sorry for barging in. I did try the doorbell, but it didn’t work, and I knocked but you guys must not have heard.”

“Another couple things to add to the endless list,” I sighed and glanced at Gabby. “See?”

“It’ll be fine. Won’t it?” She looked over at Mason and he nodded.

“It’s a great home and the view is pretty magnificent.” His eyes locked on mine, and I wanted to fall over, but I managed to stay perfectly upright and frozen.

His gaze fell to the wad of paper towels taped to my ankle.

“What happened?”

I stared at Mason and I planned on answering, but for some reason I was purely in awe. Of what, I didn’t know.

Maybe that he paid attention to me?

“She fell through the front porch,” Gabby answered for me.

“I saw that hole when I came in. I just didn’t think it was a person who did that.”

My head tilted as I tried to figure out what he thought might have made the hole in the porch, but I didn’t dare ask and open up the can of worms.

“I’m pretty petrified at what the cost of everything might be to get the house ready to sell. That’s my goal. Fix it up and sell it so I can get back home.”

“And where’s home?” he asked.

“Upstate New York.”

I swore I saw a dash of disappointment glide across his features, but as quick as it came, it left. I probably imagined it.

“I’m sure we can help you with that. If you want to walk me through the house and show me all of your concerns, we can come up with the most cost-effective way to go about the fixes. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, we can shave some off the cost by employing some DIY talent.”

Relief flooded through my veins. Gabby was right. He was the right guy to call.

For many reasons.

“Do you want me to stick around?” Gabby asked.

“Sure.” I shook my head and Gabby chuckled.

“Am I supposed to go with verbal or nonverbal cues on that one?” she questioned.

Mason smiled. “I vote for nonverbal, but generally Gabby just ignores what I say so—”

“So not true. I only ignore what you say when Brandy tells me to.”

My stomach sank. It felt like I just jumped out of a plane and I was in free fall. Getting my hopes up over a guy was really too much trouble. Of course he had a girlfriend. Why wouldn’t he have a girlfriend?

“And that must be all the time,” he chided.

“Not all the time. Just most of the time.” Gabby caught my gaze and her lip turned up slightly when the realization set in. “Brandy is one of my best friends and she so happens to be Mason’s sister.”

It felt like the ripcord had just been pulled and the chute had opened as the adrenaline coursed through my body. I glanced at Mason and noticed him watching me. My pulse quickened at the thought and pure enchantment filled my veins.

“Well, if you need anything, give me a call. If he tries any
really
lame jokes, don’t laugh. It’ll only fuel the fire and then there is no end in sight.” She smiled. “I mean it. It can get bad.”

“I’m offended,” Mason replied.

“You should be. We always are.” She leaned into Mason and whispered. “And you may have found someone who actually likes your jokes so be nice.”

His brow arched and he smiled. “That might be a first.”

 I chuckled and shook my head at how easily I fell into his trap. This guy was pure trouble.

“Okay, well enjoy the scones and I’ll see ya soon,” Gabby said, waving as she walked down the hall.

I heard the storm door slam shut, and my nerves ignited with the thought of being alone with Mason.

I glanced over at him and saw him staring at my ankle so I looked down. The towels were completely soaked in a matter of minutes.

“I don’t know how you two go about wound care, but I’d say stick to your day jobs. Sit on the couch and let me take a look.”

I shook my head and took a step back.

“I grew up on a construction site. Just let me take a look. That’s a lot of blood for a short period of time.”

“It was barely bleeding before you got here.”

“That’s even more reason to let me check it out…” A smirk formed behind his gaze. “So maybe I got your blood pumping.”

I let out a chuckle and shook my head. “Fine. I’ll let you look at it and Gabby was right. You’re relentless with the jokes.” I took a seat on the couch and propped my leg on the coffee table when a jolt ran through me.

Did I shave my legs today? Oh dear Lord, I hope I shaved them this morning. I couldn’t for the life of me remember. All the mornings here somehow blended into one another, and now I was about to show off a possibly sketchy ankle to my sexy contractor.

“You okay? You’re looking really pale all of a sudden,” Mason said, rushing to my side. “Prop your leg up.”

Before I had any time to object, he pushed two pillows under my foot and unwrapped my ankle.

“I hate to tell you this, but I think you need stitches,” he said, biting his lip as he examined the wound.

His lips looked delicious.

“When was the last time you had a tetanus shot?”

I shook my head. “I can’t remember.”

That was a fib.

“I’d try to remember or you’ll wind up getting one with this sucker. I’ve got a first aid kit in the truck I’m gonna go grab. I’ll wrap your ankle up and take you to the urgent care.” His hand graced my leg as he stood up and my heart fluttered this time.

I really needed to live a little.
If wound care was the highlight of my dating life, things were even more dismal than I realized.

I shook my head. “My best friend, Bethany, is a nurse practitioner. If you think it’s that bad, I can have her come over. I hate waiting for hours at those places.”

“She lives on the island?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Well, I think the house tour should wait until after you’re fixed up.”

My heart sank at the thought of him leaving, which was completely unexpected.

“I’m totally fine.”

Mason let out a sigh. “Where’s your phone? I’ll grab it and bring it to you so you can call her.”

“You don’t give up easily do you?”

“Not when it comes to life and death situations.”

“This isn’t life and death. It’s a scratch.”

“Where’s the phone?”

“Outside pocket of my purse on the kitchen counter.”

He walked out of the room and came right back in, but this time he had the cellphone on speaker and it was ringing.

“What are you doing?” I asked, about to hop off the couch, but Bethany answered.

“What’s up?”

“My foot pushed through the porch and I got scraped. The contractor thought I should go get stitches, and I told him I had you. Would you mind checking out the small scrape?”

“Is he as hot as the guy from school you told me about?” Bethany asked, ignoring my injury completely as I bowed my head in defeat. “The main attraction for the teachers of summer school I think is how you phrased it.”