Page 25 of Distant Shores (Stapled Magnolias #2)

But… kissing a woman the same day I learned her name and moved in with her?

That felt like a step over the line, and I didn’t think even Cole’s rowdy spirit could push me to do it.

Instead, I pressed my cheek to the top of her head, settling for a light nuzzle. The stubble on my jaw rasped against her hair, and I bit back a sigh. Or a moan?

Who knew what would’ve come out of my mouth, really, because Lordy , this felt good .

Ireland leaned against me even harder, and I held her close, smiling to myself.

“Is your light fading?” I asked quietly, thankful my voice came out a rumble instead of, well, anything else.

She nodded against my chest before pulling back and looking up at me almost hesitantly. Almost like she was embarrassed of accepting this comfort.

Nope. That wasn’t going to be an option.

“Ireland,” I started with a whisper, smiling at her in a way that I hoped showed how much I did not mind this. “How about you take your soup and crawl into bed. Not much better than eating in bed, is there?”

I swear stars shone in her eyes as she considered it, and that’s when I realized my hands were splayed against the small of her back and hers were still fisted in my shirt, resting on my hips.

If we went on much longer like this, the default lines drawn between us as acquaintances, which was already skewed, would likely vanish.

I cleared my throat and slowly drew my hands away. “There are utensils in the bag.”

The doorbell sounded, and Ireland jumped away from me, releasing my shirt as she went.

My heart had oscillated between galloping and skipping beats so often in the last few minutes that I was afraid only lightning could set it back into its proper rhythm.

A knock came next, and Ireland seemed distraught as she looked at the door. At the idea of company, or maybe of just one more thing to deal with , if I had to guess. I grabbed the bag and pushed it into her hands.

“Here. I’ll see who it is.”

She met my eyes for several tachycardic beats of my heart. I was simultaneously pleased and full of regret when she gripped the bag to her chest and mouthed, “Thank you,” as if she didn’t want to risk being heard by whoever was at the door.

Then she was gone, and there was yet another knock at the front door.

I pushed the heel of my hand into my chest, willing my body to regulate as I limped to the door, hissing through my teeth at the bolt of pain.

Forgoing the peephole, I turned the locks and swung open the door.

Three older women stood before me, each holding a gift basket.

“My, my. It appears my dear Jillie wasn’t playing an elaborate joke on me. Look at my strapping new neighbor, ladies.”

Two of them were dressed the way you’d expect a retired grandmother in the South might. Floral tops, pants that stopped mid-shin for reasons unknown, orthopedic shoes.

“Of course,” the woman dressed… not like that continued, “we’ve met before. But I’ll remind you anyway. I’m your neighbor, Lenora C. Apworth.”

I nodded at her. “Miss Lenny, of course I remember.”

Though the last time we’d met, she hadn’t been wearing what looked like a swimsuit cover made of roped fishnet. My eyes burned with the effort of not looking down to confirm if she was actually wearing a swimsuit beneath it.

Some things were better left a mystery.

“These old hens are Suzie and Janice. They live down the lane a ways.”

“Real rich calling us old, Lenny,” the woman to her right scolded. “As if you aren’t?—”

Lenny cleared her throat loudly and set down her basket in front of me with a flourish.

“Anyway, we know you’ve just moved in, so we brought you some items for your pantry and refrigerator.

We’re always ready for new neighbors, which is good considering the short notice.

Be sure to unpack them promptly so they don’t spoil.

We’ll just leave them here for you and let you get back to your day. ”

The woman who’d spoken up pushed her basket into my chest, and I took it on instinct.

“Lenny can’t bake, so if she brings you something that tastes good and tries to take the credit, just keep that in mind.

Now, I’ve made some bran muffins.” She poked the basket and eyed me seriously.

“One per day will keep you nice and regular.”

I nodded wordlessly because…. Because.

“And here are some basic groceries,” the woman on the other side of Miss Lenny said, setting down her basket. “Eggs, milk, and the like. I got the lactose-free kind, just in case you’re a tender-stomached kind of fellow.”

I nodded again. “Thank you, ma’am.”

“Oh, goodness me,” Miss Lenny said. “I’d forgotten about your impeccable manners. Such a rarity these days. Wilbur did a fine job teaching you those, didn’t he?”

Another nod, because yeah. There was no lie there.

“Oh, you’re Wilbur’s boy?” Bran muffin lady asked.

I considered my answer for a single second. “I am.”

The three ladies shared looks, and I absolutely did not want to know anything about whatever they were silently communicating with each other.

“A fine man,” Miss Lenny said eventually.

“We socialize at Zinnia House regularly. Bingo, movie nights, and the like. We mean it when we say everyone is our neighbor here at Live Oak, and we treat neighbors like family.” She leveled me with a serious look, and I warmed to the woman, especially at the idea of them keeping Pops company.

She gestured to the basket she’d brought.

“Along with some treats and other small household things, I’ve left a list of events and activities happening this summer at Live Oak.

We hope you’ll participate in at least some.

I’ve also written our numbers and addresses and put them in my basket.

Keep them somewhere safe and use them if you need anything.

Tell your housemates the same, please. I believe Jillie said your sister is going to be living here too? ”

I smiled. “Yes. Adeline.” Delly would be so pleased that I gave her full name.

“Ah, a beautiful name,” she said. “I hope we’ll meet her sooner rather than later.”

“I’m sure you will.” I said, shifting the basket under my arm. “If you’ve seen Pops, you must know Mr. Sewell too?”

The ladies on either side of Miss Lenny exchanged a look, and something about it had my hackles rising.

“Ah, yes, Beck,” the lady on the left said. “He is quite the, ah… character.”

“Explains some things, perhaps,” the one on the right muttered.

Miss Lenny looked moderately displeased as her gaze narrowed on her friends. “Be candid, girls. If you have something to say, speak plainly.”

Her friends exchanged a loaded look again before the one on the right spoke.

“I know the girl takes good care of your animals during your trips, Lenora, but we’ve just observed that she is a bit…

off. One of the girls I play bridge with joined her senior ballet class last month and said she never looks anything but angry. ”

“Hardly ever smiles,” the crony on the left added.

I sure wasn’t smiling right now either, the placid expression I’d been wearing having evaporated during this nonsense.

“There is nothing off about Ireland Sewell.” It’d come out with more bite than I’d meant, but oh well. I didn’t regret it.

“Oh, no, young man.” The biddy on the left gasped. “We didn’t mean anything by it, I assure you.”

People never did when they opened their mouths.

I met Miss Lenny’s gaze, and she gave me a soft, warm smile. “Good boy.”

They rushed through their goodbyes then, and I offered them a terse “Take care” that ended up sounding more like a threat than anything.

Once they were gone and I’d heaved the baskets inside and unpacked what needed to go in the fridge, I went straight to my bedroom and closed the door softly behind me.

Lordy, what a day.