Page 78 of Banter & Blushes #1
Caroline looked out at the waves. Her thoughts were a mix of the steady crash of the ocean and Beck’s voice in her head. Taking a sip of her beer, she looked at Beck’s silhouette in the darkness. “Why did you leave the hustle and bustle of D.C. for a small beach town like Bluebell Bay?”
“I’m the one who should ask why you left Bluebell to move to the city.”
“You answer my question first, then I’ll answer yours.”
He propped an elbow behind his head, the smooth glide of the line catching him off guard. He liked this woman more than a little. “I realized quality of life is more important than the quantity of things in it.”
“So, you gave up everything?”
He studied her for a moment. “Yeah. I gave up everything.” He paused, then gave her a long, speculative look. “What about you? You had a big-city job. Husband.” He stopped abruptly and shot her an uncomfortable look. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to?—”
“No.” She cut him off, shaking her head. “It’s okay.” There was a pause as she smoothed the bottom of her sweater over slender hips. “I think we both know what it’s like to leave things behind.”
“Maybe we have more in common than I thought.”
“Unwanted responsibility? Irritating relatives? Preferring cats to clambakes?”
“Flexible life plans?”
“Maybe, Beck.” Her voice softened. “You surprise me.”
“Good surprise or bad?”
“I haven’t figured it out yet.”
“Good thing we have all night,” he challenged, the warmth in his tone coaxing her defenses down. “What’s with the binder?”
Picking up a chunk of chicken, she looked at the stars appearing in the dark sky. “I like order. Knowing what to expect. The binder keeps my world manageable.”
“The universe doesn’t seem to like it when you have things all planned out.”
“I’ve noticed,” she sighed. “It’s an ongoing battle.”
“How’s it working out?”
She chewed her lip. “Maybe not as well as I thought.”
“Spontaneity, Hollis. See how it feels?”
“I’ll consider it,” she said with a lopsided smile.
The ease of his understanding took her by surprise. It was what she’d been afraid of. Maybe Sandy was right. He could break through with an off-hand comment, making her see what she wasn’t ready to admit.
“You’re not what I expected, Carter Beckett.”
“Good,” he said with quiet satisfaction, the handsome outline of his face soft as the night took over the sky.
There was safety in this. An ease she hadn’t known in a long time.
Caroline leaned back in the beach chair, hoping it would catch her if she fell.
The way Beck’s gaze met hers, honest and unguarded, made her breath catch in a way she wasn’t used to.
“I didn’t expect you to say yes to this project,” she admitted softly.
“You think I can pull this off without becoming mayor in absentia?”
“Depends,” he said, a serious undertone in his voice. “What are you hoping for?”
She considered his question, felt its weight.
Her eyes drifted to the shore, waves glinting in the moonlight.
“I remember Bluebell Bay as this magical place. Kids on the beach, shops bustling, families everywhere. The smell of barbecues, cotton candy and coconut sunscreen. You think we have a shot at making as it once was, again?”
“We?” Beck asked, a playful arch to his brow.
“Don’t let it go to your head, Beckett.”
He smiled, a slow, genuine smile which Caroline felt all the way to her toes. “We’ll pull it off,” he said. Beck watched her for a minute. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” she agreed. “I guess I am.” She took another bite of casserole, which had turned cold on her plate. “Better than okay. It’s nice out here even if it is rather chilly.”
“Need another towel?” He was mocking her, but it didn’t sting.
“What I need is to be a little more prepared,” She looked down at her clothes and shaking her head. “I’m not exactly dressed for a night on the beach.”
He looked at her up and down with an expression causing her to blush. “I’d say you’re perfect for it.”
Placing the plate down on the table, she picked up her beer and leaned back in the chair, taking a small sip. “And to think, I really wasn’t going to show up tonight.” She looked over at Beck. “I’m glad I did.”
“I’m glad too, Hollis.”
Caroline lifted her legs, placing her feet against the porch rail and wiggling her bare toes in the air. “I can see why you like being barefoot out here.”
“Shoes are overrated.”
She snorted. “I won’t get used to it.”
“Are you warning me?” he said with a grin. In the growing darkness, she noticed his eyes almost glowed. “Good to know you’re human.”
“Be careful, Beckett,” Caroline said, brushing her bangs back. “I might start enjoying myself.”
They settled back into their chairs, and Caroline felt the tension melt away. Just a little. It was all so new, not knowing exactly what to say. How to act. This man, this place, even her own actions were all so unexpected.
For now, she didn’t mind.
Caroline gave him a long, assessing look as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “So, I’m just supposed to sit here and relax?”
“Yeah, Hollis,” he said, deliberately calling her bluff. “Think you can handle that?”
“Challenge accepted,” she said, hoisting her shoulders as if to prepare for battle .
He tipped his bottle towards hers again. “Then don’t say I didn’t warn you. You might not want to leave.”
Picking up the remains of dinner, she removed a piece of chicken from the edge of a plate and handed it to Quint. “You know what I want to do?”
“Uh-oh. Do I want to know?”
“I feel like being reckless. Just a little.”
“Reckless is my specialty.” He stretched, stood, and as he offered her a hand, life felt open in a way she hadn’t imagined. “We better not feed the town crazy theories and conspiracies,” he said, helping her up. “You should get home before you turn into next week’s headline.”
“Or scandal,” she said, letting him pull her to her feet, lingering just a second longer than necessary.
“I don’t believe you’re the scandal type.”
“You’d be surprised, Beckett.”
Beck reached for her hand, his touch light and teasing. “Good to know. I’ll have to keep a closer eye on you.”
Caroline felt a flutter of something unexpected. It was warm, heady, and she almost didn’t want to leave. But she knew if she didn’t go now, she might not want to at all.
“Thanks for dinner,” she said as he picked up the plates and bottles. “And the company.”
“Anytime.” He carried everything inside and left her on the porch. Quint watched her, his eyes large and soft. She reached over and rubbed his head, letting the simple spontaneity of the evening work its magic.
After grabbing her purse and keys from inside, Beck walked her to the driveway. Caroline’s heart was unsteady, a bit like her steps as they reached The Hollis Express.
“I had a good time.”
“I figured you would,” Beck joked, but there was a warmth in his. “Gigi’s chicken bake made it all worthwhile.”
He stood there as she climbed in, her feet bare, and her heels swinging from her fingertips. For a second, she almost hoped he’d stop her, tell her to stay longer or at least make her feel like she should. She flipped the ignition switch.
Nothing.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Caroline muttered
“It’s really not your night, is it?”
Beck stood on the porch steps, one shoulder relaxed against the post, while amusement pulled at his expression. The Hollis Express sputtered at the end of the driveway, and Caroline sat in the seat, her face a picture of exasperation and disbelief.
“What am I going to do?” she said, her voice a mix of frustration and humor. Beck shrugged with an exaggerated flair and laughed softly.
“I guess you’re stranded here until morning,” he teased.
Caroline’s face went from surprise to something like horror, and then humor as she half-laughed, half-groaned.
“No, no, no!” she exclaimed, putting her face in her hands. “I bet Gigi already has a square for this,” she lamented, imagining the bingo card entries no doubt popping up about an overnight stay at Beck’s.
“Come on, Hollis. It’s late. I’ll grab my jacket and take you home.”
She climbed out, gathering her things, a nearly bashful “Thank you” escaping her lips as Beck dashed in for his keys. Standing barefoot in the cool sand, she debated whether she liked or hated being rescued.
She had to admit; it was nice. It felt almost reckless.
Beck emerged; a jacket swung over his arm. He walked to the side of his truck and opened the door. Quint leaped into the back seat, knocking some of the air out of the cab with an exuberant woof.
“I brought you this in case you get cold.” Beck wrapped a jacket around Caroline’s shoulders. “Let’s go before your committee drafts a press release,” he said with a grin. They settled in, and his hand brushed against hers as he passed her the seatbelt.
“Think you can survive the ride?” he teased, casting her a sidelong glance as they pulled away from the beach house.
“I think I’ll manage.” Caroline watched the waves disappear in the side mirror.
When they reached her larger home, she couldn’t shake the unwelcome sense of disappointment creeping in. She knew she should feel relieved, but she almost felt like the night had ended too soon.
“Thanks for the lift,” she said, trying to hide the wistful tone in her voice.
“Anytime.” He raced around the truck to open the door as she stepped down onto the gravel. “Sweet dreams, Hollis.”
Caroline watched his taillights fade away, and the noise of the truck’s engine disappeared into the night. She felt the weight of the jacket still around her shoulders and her pulse quicken as she slowly closed the door behind her.
She flopped onto the couch, her mind replaying Beck’s teasing grin and the way his fingers had brushed hers. The night was so far off script, she didn’t know how it fit into her tidy, manageable world. How he would fit.
Groaning, she put her arm over her eyes. If her father could see her now, he’d be disappointed. He didn’t like it when she moved away to get married, and it seemed he liked it even less when she came home to lick her wounds.
Why would he even suggest her for the job of mayor?
Pea slinked over, demanding attention with a few nudges of her wet nose. Caroline lifted the cat onto her lap, stroking her fur in time with the whirlwind of thoughts.
“I know, I know. I’ve been gone too long. You forgive me, little girl?” The cat rewarded her with a sharp nip and settled back into the soft cushions. Caroline sighed, let her mind float back to thoughts of Beck, and dropped into sleep with Pea curled at her side.