Page 21 of One Hot Texas Summer (The Prentice Brothers of Sweet Ridge #1)

K elly hummed to herself as she made the finishing touches to the flower arrangement. Tate had told her he would be coming in to get a bouquet to take to the rehab center. She’d made sure the display was extra special for the mysterious recipient of the Flower Magician’s gift.

The bell above the door tinkled a cheery greeting and Kelly looked up, her heart rate increasing when she spied Tate heading toward her. His eyes crinkled in the corners as he smiled at her.

She was acting like a sixteen-year-old girl, all giddy and excited when her crush walked by, hoping he’d notice her but also praying that maybe he wouldn’t. And she was spending the weekend with the fine specimen of a man standing opposite her on the counter.

On closer inspection, she saw that while he was smiling, it didn’t quite reach his eyes and there were faint tension lines marring his forehead.

Her excitement tempered. “You don’t want to go away now, do you?” The words erupted out of her before she could fully think them through.

“No, but I’m—”

“I knew it, you’re having second thoughts.” Needing to keep hands busy to stop from reaching over the counter, grabbing his shirt, and kissing him until he changed his mind, she bundled the cuttings into a neat little pile.

Whoa, slow down. I’ve never been like this with anyone. I’m not going to start now.

“Kelly, will you let me finish?” Tate caught her hands in his as she went to sweep the flower cuttings to the side. The warmth from his touch seeped into her skin, spreading tingles through her.

God, she was an independent woman who ran her own business. She’d handled far worse humiliation and disappointment in her life than a canceled weekend tryst.

Tryst.

Oh, boy, now she was sounding even more ridiculous.

Tugging her hands out of Tate’s hold, she shoved them into the front pockets of her apron, fiddling with the florist wire she’d placed there.

“The weekend is still happening. I’ve made a booking at the hotel near where the wedding is being held.

But I’m not going to be able to come with you like I hoped.

Dad’s coming home Friday. Tomorrow. I need to make sure he’s settled in before I leave.

Tyler has said he’ll look after Dad, and while I was worried at first, I know Tyler won’t do anything to harm Dad.

I’m probably not going to get to the hotel until around nine or ten in the evening. ”

A mixture of emotions flowed through her. Relief that the trip was still on. Happiness for Tate that his dad was coming home. Worry about how Tate was going to cope being away from his dad on his first weekend back at the farm.

“That’s wonderful news about your dad, and I don’t care when you get to the hotel.

I’ll be waiting.” She truly was happy that Trenton was coming home.

The worry Tate had been going through was a lot for someone to carry alone.

“When did you find out? You haven’t been to the center already this morning, have you?

” She glanced at the display she’d spent the last hour making for his visit.

Well, if he had, the arrangement would sell so she wouldn’t lose out—in fact, she’d make money on it as she’d planned on not charging Tate for this particular bouquet.

“The night manger called me the other night, after Tyler and I had eaten.” He canted his head toward the flowers. “Is that for me to take?”

“Yes, it is.” Kelly gently ran her finger over the petal of the pale pink rose.

Immediately, the connection she experienced when she worked with flowers grounded and calmed her.

The four years she’d spent at college getting her degree and another eight years working in an accounting firm had never given her the peace she now had in her life.

Sometimes, she wondered why she’d ignored the pull of flowers.

Then again, if she hadn’t gone to college and gotten her degree she wouldn’t have been able to run the business profitably.

“It’s beautiful, Kel. Like you.” Tate whispered the words from beside her.

Kelly looked up, her breath catching in her throat at the look of desire burning in his blue eyes.

She licked her lips reflexively and his mouth opened a fraction.

As if the invisible thread joining them was being wound in like a fishing line, they both leaned in at the same time and their lips meshed together.

A sigh rippled out of her and she gripped the front of his shirt, crushing the soft fabric.

Her blood sizzled to life and she pressed herself against his chest, wanting to get closer.

His arms slid around her, anchoring her to his chest. Arousal pooled between her legs and she wished they were anywhere but in her store.

From the second he talked about coming with her to Houston, she’d known what it would mean to their relationship.

And a relationship was what they were embarking on.

As much as fear had held her back in the past, Tate made her want to throw caution to the wind.

Take a flying leap off a ledge and know that he would catch her.

The sound of a phone ringing penetrated the sensual fog that had enveloped them and she pulled away from him. She staggered a little, surprised that her legs had turned to jelly from his kiss.

Now that had never happened in her life before.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his hands gripping her upper arms lightly.

“Yes.” The only sound in the shop was their voices; the phone had stopped. “Was that your phone or mine?” she asked as she opened the drawer beneath the counter where she usually put her phone.

As soon as she finished speaking, the ringing started again. As she peered in the drawer, her phone remained dark.

“Hi, Dad,” Tate said as he moved to stand on the opposite side of the counter.

Kelly tried not to read too much into the symbolism of the three feet of glass separating them. After the kiss they’d just shared, there was no way he wanted nothing to do with her. She was pretty sure that, given a sign from her, he’d hoist her onto the counter and have his wicked way with her.

Hmm, maybe that would be something they should try—after their Houston trip. There was no guarantee they were going to be compatible between the sheets.

She snorted at the thought. After the kisses they’d shared, there was no chance they wouldn’t be compatible.

Tate raised his eyebrow and reached over to touch the hand resting on the counter. In a quick motion, he adjusted his hold so that their fingers entwined. It was a little awkward, but she had no plans on breaking the connection between them.

“Dad. Dad. Calm down. If you don’t stay calm, they’ll never let you out.” Tate paused, listening.

A trace of discomfort surrounded her at eavesdropping on a private conversation. But the way Tate kept a firm grip on her hand, he didn’t want to let her go either.

“I know. I’m the same. I’m happy you’re being released too. I’m on my way over. I should be there in about twenty minutes. Do you think you can contain your excitement until then?”

Kelly smiled at the teasing note in Tate’s voice. The relationship between Tate and his father was a good one, like what she had with her mom.

“Okay, Dad. I’ll see you soon. Bye.” Tate’s voice cracked as he said goodbye.

Because she was watching him she saw the faint sheen of tears in his eyes. Extracting her hand from his, she rushed around the counter and gathered him in her arms.

A shudder rippled through Tate, followed by another as he hugged her tightly. They didn’t say anything, and Kelly was glad she was able to provide the emotional support he needed in the moment.

“Oh, sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“Hey, Mom.” Her words were muffled against Tate’s chest, but at her mom’s chuckle, Kelly figured she must’ve understood them.

Tate held her for another half a minute before brushing his lips across the top of her head. The touch was light but as meaningful as the kiss they’d shared earlier.

Kelly patted his chest once before walking back to her side of the counter, where Mom wasn’t even trying to hide her interest in what the two of them were doing.

She kissed Mom on the cheek. “You’re early today.”

Speculation was rife in her mom’s gaze and Kelly appreciated it when she kept her counsel to herself. “I know. I had a feeling you may need me, so I came in. Looks like I was right. How are you, Tate? I hear Trenton is coming home tomorrow. You must be happy about that.”

Kelly’s mouth dropped open. “How do you know that, Mom? I just found out myself.”

“It’s Sweet Ridge, honey, nothing is ever secret here and”—she looked between her and Tate—“if you two don’t want to be the brunt of everyone’s gossip more than you already are, I’d be careful about doing what I just walked in on in public places.”

All her joy from Tate’s kiss and the upcoming weekend fizzled out.

She’d returned to town because of her father’s illness; the fact that it was just after her humiliation at Edwin’s hands was fortuitous.

Everyone thought her sadness was to do with her father, which it was, but she’d also been grieving the loss of her relationship with Edwin.

Which was totally stupid now, looking back.

That jerk didn’t deserve any sympathy from her.

Everyone in town had been excited when she returned later and bought This Bud’s For You.

That was the upside of living in a small town, the openness they had for everyone.

The gossipy side of town was the one she could do without.

“Yes, Mrs. Turner, Dad is coming home. I was just coming in to pick up some flowers to take to the center. I know it may seem a waste, but I wanted to make his last day at the center happy and bright for him.”

The lie tripped off Tate’s lips so easily, Kelly wondered how many other times he’d lied in his life. Had he lied to her during their time together?

She immediately banished the thought. If anyone knew the reason for this little lie it was her.