First Kiss (3 page)

Olivia turned off her computer and gathered her purse from her desk drawer, picking up the contents that had spilled out earlier. She’d expected Cade to follow her into town, but the familiar pang of disappointment, which usually accompanied any thought she’d had of Cade over the years, was all she’d gotten.

Parker walked through her office door. His tie had been loosened and he carried his suit jacket over his arm. She loved that he took his job seriously enough, even in the small town, to still dress like a big city bank president. That was some of the allure when he’d offered her the job. Parker Woods was a considerate and kind man.

“I’ll walk out with you,” he offered.

“Thanks.” She walked to the door, turned off the light, and followed Parker out of the bank as the security guard locked the door from the inside and waved.

Parker dug his keys from his pocket. “Any plans tonight?”

“No. Not much in the mood to do anything but fall into bed.”

He gave her a slow, thoughtful nod. “I’m really sorry about Austin. He was a good man.”

“Thank you. He was a good man.” She unlocked her car door and opened it. Austin had been gone nearly a week, and it hurt every day to know she wouldn’t be stopping by to see him after work.

“I was wondering if you and Gage had a free night this week.” He stepped toward her. “I have my kids, and I thought we could all go get a pizza.”

Olivia didn’t want to even think about making plans. She didn’t want to get too cozy with Parker Woods. Mixing business with pleasure always spelled disaster. However, when she grew tired of mourning Austin’s death, Parker might be the perfect distraction—but not yet.

“I’m still unpacking. Can I give it some thought?”

Parker stepped back. “That’s fine.” He unlocked his car and opened the door. “Hey, if you need any help getting settled into the new house, let me know.”

“Thanks.”

Olivia climbed into her car and shut the door. Parker waved as he drove away, but she sat quietly, her keys still in her hand.

Her new house was a fresh start. When she bought it, she hadn’t thought she’d be so lonely. Guilt plagued her. Austin had lent her the money, and when she tried to make plans to pay him back, he wouldn’t hear of it.

“It’s for you and my Gage. Take care of him.”

She didn’t know a month later…well, that it would all be over.

Tears stung her eyes again, and she wiped them away. She should have seen it. She should have known Austin was up to something. Olivia and Gage had been perfectly happy living with him when they’d moved back from Grand Junction after Gage was born. She’d ignored the idle rumors that they were having some inappropriate affair and just was happy for once.

Gage gave Austin such pleasure. It shocked her the day he mentioned she should get a place—then he gave her the money.

“Cade has his own money now. He doesn’t need what I’ve saved. Conner is gone. You’re the only one who’s ever taken care of me. You deserve it.”

His words lodged in her chest.

He’d known his last days were coming, but that was a secret he’d kept from her. Emotions stirred in her that she didn’t know what to do with. She loved that crazy, old man, but he shouldn’t have done what he did.

Well, she’d get the money back to the rightful owner. She’d just have to pay Cade.

Olivia started the car and backed out of the space. Maybe she could talk to Parker about a loan from the bank. If she could just pay Cade off in one lump sum, she’d never have to see him again.

She was sure that was what he would want.

If she knew anything about Cade Carter, it was that he hated the fact he had to come back to Aspen Creek and he was making plans again to escape as quickly as he could.

Chapter Three

It was dreary when Olivia pried her eyes open the next morning. Rain softly pelted the roof with its rhythm and the sun’s rays had not yet made it through the clouds.

Gage had been up all night with night terrors, and she’d slept, again, in the chair next to his crib.

She didn’t know why he had them, but people told her he’d grow out of it. They’d had this same routine for almost eighteen months, and she was beginning to wonder.

Now that it was time to get up, he was resting peacefully.

Olivia pulled the light blanket over his sleeping body and rested her hand on his head. She’d never expected to become a mother, but it was the greatest gift anyone had ever given her. She’d protect her son with her life if she had too, and she’d love him enough for two parents.

She brewed a pot of coffee and quickly took her shower before Gage woke. She readied him, and they headed into town to start their Friday morning.

Gage quickly fell into place at the daycare center as Miss Michelle carried him off, and he waved goodbye to Olivia. She, on the other hand, was not feeling as ecstatic about her day.

As she started her car, she contemplated her finances. The daycare bill wasn’t due for another week so she could splurge on a gourmet cup of coffee and a muffin at Molly’s. Maybe that would make this pathetic morning sunnier, even if just emotionally.

She parked the car, pulled out her umbrella and headed toward the small building that had once been the original location of the bank.

“Tell me they make decent coffee here.” The voice rang out from behind her.

She turned to find Cade standing only inches from her.

His hair was wet, and he wore his sunglasses on the back of his neck. She’d been so angry with him yesterday she hadn’t taken a moment to realize what an enormous man he was. Perhaps that was because his shoulders had been hunched and his tail was between his legs. But now he towered over her, and even though he didn’t play football anymore, she could tell he obviously still trained.

His biceps pushed the limits of the T-shirt he wore, which was wet and clinging to his sculpted chest.

Olivia cleared her throat and her mind. “Best you’ll find on this side of the mountain.”

He chuckled at that. “Well, Aspen Hills probably just charges more.”

Was he trying to be easy with her? He obviously knew who she was now. She let out a slow breath. She didn’t want to be nice to him. That old friendship didn’t belong there anymore. Now he was the man she owed, and she didn’t like that either. But when he smiled and it sparkled in his eyes, she was twelve again.

Cade reached around her and opened the door. “It’s drier inside.”

She hesitated for a moment then started inside and closed her umbrella.

The bakery wasn’t as busy as usual. Most people, like her, were probably taking their time getting into town.

Molly Fields stood behind the counter with her infectious smile. “Mornin’, Olivia. What can I do for ya?”

“I’d love a mocha and a cran-orange muffin.”

“Comin’ up,” she said as she looked past her toward Cade. “And for your friend?”

Cade smiled and held his hand out to her. “It’s Cade, Cade Carter, Mrs. Fields. It’s nice to see you again.”

“Oh, my!” She looked him over and then slid a glance toward Olivia.

Olivia felt herself tense. She’d thought more of Mrs. Fields than to make quick judgments, but she knew that was what she was doing.

Mrs. Fields patted Cade’s hand. “I’m sorry to hear about your daddy. He was an upstanding member of this community. We’re all going to miss him.”

“Thank you.” Cade retracted his hand and even stepped back from the counter just a bit.

“So, what can I get for you?”

“You know, I’ll take what she’s having.”

Mrs. Fields walked away to gather their order.

Cade moved in closer behind her. “I don’t think she likes me.”

She didn’t look over her shoulder to look at him. “You were late to your own father’s funeral. No one saw you there. In this town, that’s a sin.”

“C’mon, at least I’m here.”

Olivia swallowed hard. “For the first time in twelve years and he’s dead, Cade.”

“Point made,” he said as he stepped back again.

Mrs. Fields set their coffees and muffins on the counter and rang it into the cash register.

Olivia reached into her purse for her wallet.

Cade stepped up to the counter. “I’ve got it.”

He pulled the bills from his pocket and set them on the counter. Olivia picked up the purchase and headed out the door with her umbrella tucked under her arm.

The rain had increased, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to get in the car and drive away.

He was following her as quickly as he could. From the corner of her eye she could see that he limped, obviously residual effects from his accident. If she just hurried, he’d never catch up with her.

But he called out to her, “Olivia, what’s gotten into you?”

She hesitated at the car. “I have to get to work.”

He moved quickly as she opened her door and blocked it before she could get in. The water dripped from her hair into her eyes, and she tried to bat it away.

“Hey, I know you think I’m just some asshole who never called his father, but I thought we were friends.”

“We were friends. When we were little. You didn’t even know who I was yesterday.” It hurt when she said it. Why should she care?

He raised his eyebrows. “You have to admit you look a bit different.”

“I never should have become unfamiliar to you.” That hurt the moment she said it so she just went on. “You can’t actually expect me to stand here and feel sorry for you, do you? Your daddy died and you’re doing your duty to come back here. You never cared, Cade. You only cared about yourself.” She pushed past him. “He was proud of you. He loved you. Your silence hurt him.”

“And you know all of this because you stayed in this hell hole and never got out? Because he got them to paint my name on the sign outside of town? Proud of me? He cared more about you and Conner than he ever did about me.”

If her hand had been free, she’d have slapped him across the face, but instead she climbed in the car and slammed the door.

She set the coffee in the holder, started the car, and backed out of the space narrowly missing him. Perhaps if she’d tried harder she could have run him over, but, then again, he’d probably only end up denting her car and that would cost her too much to fix.

The bank was only two minutes away. She wondered how she was going to compose herself in those two minutes.

She was officially late when she walked into the bank. It had taken her four passes through town to calm down enough to walk through the door and straight into her office where she threw the full cup of coffee and uneaten muffin into the trash.

Kat was quick. She was at the door the moment Olivia slid out of her jacket.

“You doing okay? Thought maybe something was wrong. You’re never late”

“Nothing is wrong, Mrs. McCormick. I’m just late.”

“Oh, how many times do I have to tell you that I’m not your teacher anymore, and you can call me Kat.” Olivia nodded. Kat moved to her desk and rested her hands on it. “Heard Cade Carter made it to town after the funeral.”

“You heard correctly.”

“Have you seen him? My daughter said she heard he’d stayed in town last night at the motel.”

“The utilities were turned off the day after Austin died. As per his request. I think he didn’t want his sister to move in.”

“Ugly woman.” Kat shook her head. “Abused that little boy of hers something awful and just abandoned him to Austin for months at a time. Shame too, he was a smart cookie. He could have gone places.”

“He did. He was a Marine.”

“That’s right. I did hear that. Got caught in some crossfire when al-Qaeda took out some town full of women and children.”

Olivia felt the chill of sweat bead up on the back of her neck. She’d heard the story, in vivid detail, and it still made her sick.

She nodded toward Kat and sat down in her chair.

Parker tapped on the door. “Everything okay?”

Olivia blew out a breath. Why did everyone feel the need to coddle her? “Everything is fine.”

“You have a visitor.” Olivia stood from her chair and Parker moved in. “It’s Cade.”

Her breath caught, and Kat’s lips formed a grin that had gossip written all over it.

She leaned in closer to Olivia. “You should head to the restroom and fix yourself up. The rain got you good.”

Kat turned to leave, and Parker stepped up to her desk. “Want me to take him? I’m sure he’s here on Austin’s behalf.”

“No, I’ll take care of it. Just stall him a moment and let me get cleaned up.”

Olivia hurried out of her office before Cade saw her and headed to the restroom.

When she returned, he was seated in one of the chairs in front of her desk. His sunglasses were still on the back of his neck and his shirt was still damp from the rain.

She shut the door behind her, and he turned.

“Thought maybe Parker led you out the back door.”

“I'd considered it.”

He let out a chuckle as she sat down behind her desk.

“I didn't remember Mindy's bakery being so good,” he commented.

“She has a good little business.”

“You know, I'm sure Kat would have snatched up that coffee and muffin you threw in the trash. She always was a sucker for a baked good.”

Olivia's stomach twisted. She looked in the trash next to her desk and prominently displayed on the top was the full cup of coffee, now leaking into the can, and the uneaten muffin.

“I'm sorry. I'd lost my appetite. I'll pay you back.”

“I'd settle for you just to talk to me like I didn't run over your dog.”

Olivia sat back in her seat. “This has been a hard week. Having you here seems to be making it harder.”

He leaned in closer to the desk and rested his folded arms atop it. “Is that because you didn't expect me at all?”

“Cade…”

“No, I don't blame you. Why would anyone expect more?” He sat back in his chair. “So you said you were in charge of things. What does that mean?”

Olivia dropped her shoulders and did her best to not be so uptight. After all, it wasn’t her father that had died, it was Cade’s. Even if he hadn’t been around, she needed to respect that he was the one who had lost his father. “Austin had some accounts and a safety deposit box.”