One Woman's Heart (Finding Love Book 7), page 14
“Are you sure five minutes would’ve been enough?” she asked, reaching over to pet Delilah.
* * * * *
Devon was sure of several things, one of which was the fact that he was falling more deeply in love with Holly with each passing day. When she asked him if he was staying because of her, it had been on the tip of his tongue to tell her that he couldn’t envision a future without her. That he would marry her tomorrow if he thought she’d agree. But he knew it was too soon. She was just beginning to think of him as something more than a friend. He had to take things slowly and give her time to recover from Scott’s betrayal.
“I’m very efficient,” he replied in an innocent voice. “I can do a lot in five minutes.”
She laughed. “I can’t disagree with that.”
“That’s too bad. I was looking forward to proving you wrong.”
“That would have been interesting and fun, but I thought we were going to try out the pedal boat.”
“The boat isn’t going anywhere, and I’ve been looking forward to kissing you all day.” He set Delilah back on the ground. “I can’t be with you and not do it, and when I’m not with you, it’s all I think about.”
“It’s all you think about?” she asked, her lips lifting in a teasing grin. “I thought you liked me for my brilliant mind and sense of humor.”
“A few more of those remarks, and we’ll never get anywhere near the lake.”
Holly did a decent imitation of a salute. “Yes, sir, Sergeant Evans.”
“In case you didn’t know, insubordination carries stiff penalties.”
“What kind of penalties are we talking about?”
He swung her into his arms. “This is one example.”
She laughed as she feathered her fingers through his hair. “I don’t mind this at all.”
“Neither do I,” he retorted as he resumed walking. “It’s the best of both worlds.”
The same breeze blowing Holly’s hair against his face was causing ripples in the surface of the water. Devon strolled past the planked boardwalk where the green and white pedal boat was tethered and stopped in front of a bright yellow storage shed. Only then did he lower Holly to the ground.
“I hope you know what you started. I’ll never want to walk anywhere again.”
“That’s fine as long as I’m the one who gets to carry you.”
Opening the door of the shed, he removed two life jackets from a hook on the wall. After putting on the larger one, he held out the other for Holly.
“Where did Delilah go?” she asked as she slid her arms through the sleeves. “She was behind us a few minutes ago.”
Devon looked up from adjusting the straps on her life jacket. “She either went back to the house, or she’s chasing rabbits.” As he finished with the last strap, he bent down and kissed the back of her neck. “We’re all set.”
They retraced their steps to the boardwalk. Holly looked at the boat and then at Devon. “I thought it would be bigger. Are you sure it’ll hold us?”
“The weight capacity is five hundred pounds. Don’t worry, Holly Berry. I won’t let anything happen to you or the precious cargo you’re carrying.” After helping her into the boat, he got in himself and then untied the rope holding them to the pier.
“This might seem like a dumb question, but how do we steer this thing?”
He pointed to the lever between the seats. “I’m going to use this. It works like a rudder.”
After a few minutes of pedaling, they reached the middle of the lake. She turned to him, a smile on her face. “This is heaven. I could stay out here all day.”
“I thought you’d enjoy it. Now I just have to get you on the bass boat.”
“I don’t know anything about fishing.”
“That’s not a requirement, and with you along, I probably wouldn’t want to fish anyway.”
“That’s hard to believe considering the array of fishing equipment you’ve got stored in your garage.”
“Which I can use whenever I can’t talk you into coming with me.”
“It won’t be hard to talk me into coming. I like being with you. I can be myself and not worry that you won’t like it.” She looked down at her hands. “You make me feel safe. I don’t have to be on my guard all the time.”
Devon was momentarily shocked into silence. She’d never spoken so openly about her feelings for him. He gently turned her head so he could see her face. “I always want it to be that way.”
“You’ve been so accepting and supportive about the baby, too. I know it can’t be easy for you. I haven’t said anything, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t seen the looks or heard the comments.”
“I told you before that I don’t care what people think.”
Her hands moved protectively over her abdomen. He was almost certain she wasn’t aware of it. “I can’t regret something as precious as a baby, but I do regret the decisions that led me to this place.”
“Everyone feels that way about something in their life. My biggest regret is Megan. I’ve only recently come to realize that holding on to that regret isn’t the answer. I have to forgive myself, and that’s not the easiest thing to do.”
She trailed her fingers across the surface of the water. “For me, it’s not just the guilt or the disappointment or the feelings of failure. It’s this belief that somehow I’m getting what I deserve because I didn’t listen to my conscience.”
Devon smiled faintly. “That’s exactly how I feel. I don’t like thinking that I took the path of least resistance.”
“I guess that means we’re in the same boat, both figuratively and literally.”
“Maybe we can help each other find the way back to shore. Speaking of which, we’ll have to go back soon. I can’t let you get sunburn. My mother will have my head.”
“I don’t burn easily. When I was a teenager, I was obsessed with being tan. I started going to a tanning salon to speed up the process. When my mother found out, she grounded me for a month.”
“The only thing I ever got grounded for was missing my curfew. My father took away my car for two weeks which meant I had to be dropped off and picked up at school by my mother. I never came home late again.” Movement to the left caught Devon’s eye. “We’re about to have company. Jordan and Eric are back.”
Holly looked in that direction. “They’re carrying fishing rods. Will us being on the lake make it harder for them to catch anything?”
“The fish don’t care. They’re only interested in what’s on the end of the hook.”
“I don’t like to think about that part.”
Devon chuckled. “They won’t surrender their freedom without some kind of incentive.”
“Hey, Dad,” yelled Jordan. “Mr. Matt caught a ten pound catfish the day before yesterday. He used hot dogs for bait. Uncle Eric and I are going to try that and see if we can catch him today.”
“Hot dogs? That’s a new one.”
“We’ve got night crawlers, too,” Jordan went on. “Just in case.”
“Sounds like you’ve got everything covered. Be sure to take pictures. I know how anglers tend to exaggerate.”
Once Jordan and Eric were out of earshot, Holly asked, “Are you one of those fishermen who embellish the truth?”
“I always try to tell the truth, but there are times when the situation calls for a different approach.”
“A different approach? What does that mean?”
“I guess the best way to explain it is with an example. When your wife or girlfriend comes back from the beauty salon with green streaks in her hair and asks what you think, you know that telling the truth is going to have serious consequences. In that situation, modifying the truth slightly might be a better option.”
Her brows arched over her sunglasses. “So you’re saying you’d stretch the truth to avoid those consequences?”
“I’d be sparing her feelings, too. Doesn’t that count for something?”
“But what if those green streaks in her hair really do look awful? In telling her the truth, you’re saving her the embarrassment of finding it out from others who don’t have her best interest at heart.”
“That’s a good point, but I only have a few seconds to decide what to say, and I’ve got a woman staring at me with pleading eyes.”
“Are you telling me that a big, tough guy like you can’t resist pleading eyes?”
“I’m telling you that it isn’t easy.” He maneuvered the boat to the pier, and they both hopped out. “Now that we’re nice and toasty, we can cool off in the pool.”
Chapter Fourteen
When Holly and Devon returned to the house, they found Julie and her mother in the kitchen making lasagna. It was a scene that couldn’t fail to trigger memories of happier times when Holly’s mother was alive. Some of their best conversations had taken place when they were trying out a new recipe or trying to improve an old one.
“I hope that’s for tonight,” Devon said, moving away from Holly to put his arms around his mother’s waist and kiss her cheek.
Holly had once heard someone say that the way a man treats his mother is a good indication of his character. It was certainly true in this case. Devon took his responsibility to his widowed mother seriously.
“We wouldn’t send you back to Columbus without your favorite meal.”
“You’re the best, Mom. Do you need any help?”
Julie held out a large wooden spoon. “Come taste this sauce, and tell me what you think.”
“It’s hard to go wrong with tomato sauce, Jules.” Even so, he walked over and obligingly took the spoon from her. “You did something different this time.” He took another taste and swirled it around in his mouth. Then he snapped his fingers. “Sugar and…vinegar, right?”
“Very good, Devon.”
“I’ve heard of using sugar because it balances the acid in the tomatoes, but why vinegar?”
“It’s supposed to give it some extra zing.”
“It does that all right. I give it my seal of approval.”
“I feel a lot better now. If you like it, everyone else will, too.”
“Glad I could help. If you don’t need us for anything else, Holly and I are going to get in the pool.”
“This is the day for it. It’s supposed to rain tomorrow.”
Devon shook his head. “I should have known. It always rains when I come here.”
“Have you ever thought that maybe you bring the rain with you?”
“Not until you were kind enough to point it out.” Devon glanced at Holly. “Do you see the kind of punishment I get?”
She grinned. “You can handle it.”
“He can also dish it out,” his mother added. “Don’t forget sunscreen. If you don’t have any, there’s some in the bathroom.”
At the top of the wide staircase, Devon turned to the left and stopped in front of a half open door. “This is your room. Mine’s next door. If by some miracle you’re ready first, wait for me here.”
“Considering how little you have to do, it would be a miracle if you weren’t ready first.”
Devon’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “There’s only one thing you’ve got on that I don’t. Its removal can’t possibly account for the difference in how long it takes men and women to change clothes.”
“Changing clothes isn’t all I do before I go swimming. I also have to put up my hair and spray on the sunscreen your mother reminded us about.”
“I could help with the last two if it’ll make things go faster.”
Holly grinned. “I don’t think you helping would make it go faster.”
His laughter followed her into a guestroom that was larger than her living room and kitchen combined. In keeping with their proximity to the ocean, the furniture was pickled oak and the furnishings were a mixture of pearly white and misty blue. Grabbing her overnight bag, she walked into the bathroom. Her eyes went from the marble garden tub to the huge walk-in shower. This she could get used to.
Adjacent to the double vanity was a door. Since it had a lock on it, she surmised it led to Devon’s room. She’d never shared a bathroom with a man before, but she’d heard about the experience often enough from Summer.
“I’m almost ready. I bet you haven’t even changed yet.”
The sound of his voice speaking from the other side of the door caused her to jump. “You’re right,” she said, stepping closer to the door. “I’m too busy looking at everything.”
“That wasn’t on your list.”
“Neither was having this conversation.”
“It should have been. This is almost as much fun as the staring game we played in the truck.”
“True, but it’s not getting us into the pool any quicker.”
“Point taken. This is Sergeant Evans signing out.”
With Devon’s teasing words ringing in her ears, she got into the swimsuit she’d recently purchased. The mirrors lining the walls confirmed that her once-slim figure was no more, not surprising given that she was almost six months pregnant. Would Devon find her changing shape attractive?
Her anxieties about her appearance faded when she opened the door and found him leaning against the wall, a black towel slung over his shoulder. Holly just stopped her mouth from dropping open at the sight of his heavily muscled arms, sculpted chest and chiseled abs. Beautiful was the word that came to mind, but she doubted he’d appreciate being described that way.
He uncrossed his legs and walked toward her. “If we hurry, we might have the pool to ourselves for a little while.”
“You don’t want to share the pool?” she asked, hoping he hadn’t noticed her reaction.
“I don’t want to share you.”
A few minutes later, they were dropping their towels on a deckchair and descending the steps into the water.
“The water temperature is perfect,” she said on a sigh. “Not too cold or too warm.”
Devon laughed. “The same can’t be said for me. My temperature is rising rapidly. I’m also having trouble thinking and breathing.”
“You hide it well.”
He reached for her hand and placed it palm side down on his chest. His skin was smooth and warm. Underneath the pulse in her wrist, she could feel the rapid beating of his heart. Heat radiated up her arm, causing a similar disruption in the pacing of her own heartbeats.
“Do you believe me now?” he asked softly.
“I always believe what you say.”
The teasing light in his eyes disappeared. “Thank you, Holly. That means a lot to me.”
Realizing her hand was still glued to his chest, she shifted it to his arm. Her fingers didn’t span even a quarter of the circumference of his bicep. Without thinking, she traced a water droplet as it made its way down to his wrist. Devon made a low sound in his throat just before he put his hand over hers.
“I’m trying to keep this G-rated out of consideration for our audience, but you’re not making it easy.”
Holly looked over her shoulder and then back at him. “I forgot where we were.”
“A few more seconds of that, and I wouldn’t have cared who was watching.” He drew her down into the water. “Wouldn’t you like to have one of these in your backyard?”
“I’d love it. I’m not used to being in a pool without it being filled with lots of other people.”
“Jordan and Ricky like to go to the water park on Psalmond Road. You can’t make a move without bumping into someone. I don’t even try to get in the water.”
She turned to float on her back. “You just sit back and enjoy the scenery, huh?”
“There’s certainly a lot of it to see. I’m amazed at how much skin some of these women feel comfortable showing. I wouldn’t want my wife walking around like that in front of anyone but me.”
“It’s funny you should say that. Summer told me that Garrett asked if she minded wearing a one-piece when they went to the beach on their honeymoon. She thought it was weird that he’d never said anything before.”
“They weren’t married before. Men have a natural instinct to protect their own. It might sound sexist, but it’s in our DNA.”
“I don’t think it sounds sexist at all. It wasn’t like he told her she had to do it. He asked her.”
“I got the impression that no one tells Summer she has to do anything.”
Holly dropped her feet to the ground. “Watch it, mister. You’re talking about my best friend.”
“If I’m wrong, I’ll take it back.”
Her sense of honesty and fair play won out. “You’re not wrong, but I wouldn’t want her any other way. Summer’s been good to me. We’re not so much alike that we agree on everything, but we’re not so different that we argue all the time.”
“You’re fortunate to have such a good friend.”
“Our relationship has changed since she got married, but I was expecting that.”
“The connection that forms when two people truly love each other is like nothing else in the whole world.”
The sound of voices from inside the house ended this conversation. The back door flew open and Jordan came out wearing neon-green swimming trucks and matching flip flops.
“Why didn’t you get out the pool noodles?” he asked them, walking over to the storage box sitting in the corner.
Devon looked at Holly and grinned. “What I wanted was already in the pool.”
Holly splashed him with water. “That’s enough out of you.”
Behind them, Jordan laughed. “Good one, Dad.”
“Thanks. Did you guys see the catfish?”
“Nope. All we caught was bluegill.”
They were joined by Eric, who like Devon, had the kind of physique women drool over. The four of them played a riotous game of Marco Polo. When Jordan set up the net for water volleyball, Holly decided it was time to make her exit. She sat down at one of the tables under a colorful umbrella. Things in the pool didn’t calm down again until Devon’s mother, Julie and Nerina made their appearance. An hour later, everyone was making their way into the house to get ready for dinner.
“I hope we didn’t wear you out today,” Devon said when they once again stopped outside her door.
“Not at all.”
