Over the years, Kel had tried to convince himself that Darcy wasn’t any different from other women. He’d told himself if he got to know her, she’d turn desperate, grasping, anxious to claim him like some trophy she could show off to her girlfriends. But deep down, he suspected he’d made a mistake in walking way.
“The hell if I’ll make the same mistake twice,” Kel muttered. If he harbored any hope of putting that night out of his head, then he’d have to prove to himself that Darcy
Kel stepped out of the car and jogged across the street. Austell was a small town. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find her. Hell, she was probably married and raising two or three children. That would put a quick end to his fantasies.
He opened the door of the shop and stepped back inside. Ellie Fairbanks smiled at him as he approached, her hands braced on the counter. “I know why you came back,” she said.
“You do?”
“You dipped into those chocolates you bought for your sister and now you need a new box.”
“Yes, I do. But this time I’d like to have them delivered.”
“Where does your sister live?”
“I want to send them to that pretty brunette who was in here a few minutes ago. You have her name and address, don’t you?”
“I do,” Ellie said.
Kel nodded. “And what would that address be?”
She hitched her hands on her hips and regarded him suspiciously. “I got the distinct impression you knew her, but now I’m not so sure.”
“Darcy and I are old friends. Let’s just say, I’d like to renew our acquaintance,” Kel replied. “Give me a small box of your most decadent chocolates.”
Ellie gathered a selection of chocolates and then returned to the counter. She handed him a gift card, but he pushed it back at her, shaking his head. “On second thought, I should deliver these personally.” He cleared his throat. “And where would I do that?”
“Try The Delaford,” Ellie said with a soft chuckle. “It’s a resort and spa out on Route 18. Just follow the signs.”
He pulled his wallet from his pocket and paid for the chocolates, then sent Ellie a grateful smile.
As he exited the store, he let his gaze wander over the quaint street. He’d come to Austell to take a look for a lake home, a quiet place outside the craziness of San Francisco, a place where he could exist in relative anonymity, where he could walk down the street without people staring. He’d intended a quick stop in Austell to look at a few properties before he continued on up the coast to his sister’s place. But a chance meeting in a candy store had derailed his plans.
Kel’s step was a bit quicker as he walked back to his car. He would see Darcy again; he’d make certain of that. But when he did, he wasn’t sure what to say. What was the protocol? Were they supposed to pretend they didn’t know each other? How exactly should a gentleman bring up the subject of their previous one-night stand?
Kel got behind the wheel of the Benz and started it. But he left it idling at the curb as a trail of possibilities drifted through his mind. What if she didn’t remember him at all? He’d managed to turn that one night into the pinnacle of his sex life. What if she’d forgotten about him years ago?
He thought he’d seen recognition in her eyes, but was it real or was he just fooling himself? Right now, Darcy could be trying to place him, wondering just where she’d met him before. Kel tipped his head back and closed his eyes. Or maybe she had recognized him from the papers. Maybe to her, he wasn’t the man she’d spent one incredible night with, he was Kel Martin, pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.
“If I see her again, I’ll just pretend I don’t remember her,” he murmured. “Unless she remembers me, then I’ll remember her.” It was a plan, though Kel wasn’t sure it was the best he could devise. He just needed some time alone with her, just a few minutes to figure out where he stood.
He pulled the car out into traffic and headed west. Just as Ellie Fairbanks had said, the signs directed him to The Delaford. He’d been invited to play a celebrity golf tournament there a few years back. Had he accepted, he might have renewed their acquaintance sooner.
A long brick drive wound through beautifully landscaped grounds. The three-story hotel, a mix of new California and old Spanish architecture, was nestled in the center of the golf course, huge pillars flanking the entrance. Kel drove beneath the columned portico and a parking attendant jogged up to the car. As soon as Kel stepped out, the attendant grinned. “Hello, Mr. Martin. Welcome to The Delaford.”
Kel was so used to people recognizing him that it barely registered. He smiled at the attendant and tossed him the keys. “My bags are in the trunk,” he said.
The lobby was cool and serene, awash in soft colors and green plants, soothing music drifting through the air. The desk clerk greeted him with a warm smile. “Mr. Martin! We weren’t expecting you today. How nice that you chose to visit The Delaford.”
“I don’t have a reservation. I was just in the area and thought I’d see if you had a room. Anything will do.”
The desk clerk glanced over at her computer. “We have two suites and several deluxe rooms available. Which would you prefer?”
“I’ll take the suite. For a week if that’s possible.” Kel pulled out his credit card and handed it to her. “I’m hoping you can help me. I’m looking for…Darcy. Do you know her?”
“Miss Scott?”
“Tall, brunette, very pretty. Really great legs.”
The clerk nodded. “That sounds like her.”
“Yes, Miss Scott,” Kel said. “Darcy Scott.” He noticed the name of the hotel behind the desk. The Delaford Resort and Spa. A Scott Hotel Property.
“Of course I know her. Would you like me to get her for you?”
“No,” Kel said, deciding to bide his time before their next meeting. “But I would like to know how to get hold of her if I need her.”
“Just call the front desk and ask for the manager.”
“The manager,” Kel repeated. Beautiful, sexy, intriguing Darcy Scott was the manager of The Delaford. He hadn’t expected that. Kel pointed to the sign. “And does her husband own the hotel?” It was a clumsy way to gather information, but he had to know the score.
“Oh, no,” the clerk said. “Sam Scott is Darcy’s father. Darcy isn’t married.” A few moments later, she handed him the key. “I’ve put you in the Bennington Suite. It has a lovely terrace that overlooks the lake. Just take the elevator to the third floor and follow the signs. The bellman will bring your luggage, and if you don’t mind, I’ll send up our manager of guest services and she can arrange for any services you’d like scheduled.”
Though a massage would go far to relieving the constant ache in his shoulder and a long soak in the whirlpool sounded like pure heaven, Kel had other priorities. He wasn’t here for his health; he had come for peace of mind. And the only person that could provide him with that was Darcy Scott.
“I look forward to my stay,” Kel murmured with a smile.
2
DARCY CLICKED ON the Lake Country Real Estate website and navigated to the photos of the four-bedroom, three-bath house on Crystal Lake. She re-read the description as she had so many times over the past few weeks. Wide, wrap-around porch, Victorian gazebo overlooking the water, original boathouse. But even the thoughts of buying her dream home couldn’t take her mind off Kel Martin.
She glanced down at her arm, at the spot where he had touched her. In that single, ordinary moment, at that brief contact, she realized that she’d never really gotten over him. He was nothing more than a stranger to her, yet if he took her hand and led her into his bedroom, she’d be hard pressed to refuse him anything.
How could a man have such an incredible hold over her? Was it Kel? Or was it just loneliness? While she’d been engaged, she’d barely thought of him.
She ran a hand through her hair. That wasn’t entirely true, she admitted to herself. There had been more than
