In the kitchen, I searched the cupboard for a large vase for the flowers.
“I’m sorry about Fern.” Kenny watched me as I organized the flowers in the vase. “Everyone knows she didn’t do it. I’m sure it will get cleared up.”
I nodded, barely hearing what he said, having been sucked back into a memory from my past. Kenny used to drive me in his beat-up truck to look for wildflowers in the woods. He knew I loved irises and I’d pick purple and yellow ones, giant bunches of them. Staring at the pretty arrangement in front of me was a painful reminder of what we used to have. I was so young and blissfully happy then.
“Charlee?”
“Huh?” I looked up and met Kenny’s concerned gaze.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Why did you bring me flowers?” I blurted, regretting it as soon as it left my mouth. It was foolish to venture down this road again.
“To cheer you up. Because I care about you. And I thought you would like them,” he listed off, clearly not understanding what I’d meant.
“But you brought these flowers?” I stared at a giant violet iris that stood out among the other pink and yellow flowers.
“The wildflowers. Yeah, they used to be your favorite.”
Unnerved by his stare, I picked up the vase and took it to the sink to fill with water. “Yes, I remember.”
Suddenly, I felt him beside me. “I remember everything about you,” he said softly. I resisted the temptation to lean into his strong frame, to let him comfort me.
That wasn’t his right anymore, and I’d be wise to not forget it.
“I remember how you would snack on kettle corn on your breaks at the cannery and you’d come out to the boat where I’d be cleaning up and feed it to me because you said my hands had fish slime…”
His words were like a drug, luring me back to a time when I’d felt so good. His hand caressed my face, breaking the haze of the past I’d been sucked into and I pulled the vase from the sink and took it over to the breakfast bar. “Kenny, you’re making this really hard.”
He shook his head slowly. “You’re the one that has made this hard, Charlee. The walls you’ve put up, effectively shutting everyone out. I know you think you’re protecting yourself, but it’s just hurting you.”
“It’s hurting me?” I shot back. “No, you hurt me, Kenny.” I hated what he was saying because I felt he had no right to. Even though I knew it was the truth.
“I wish you’d quit trying so hard to hate me.” He took a step toward me. “Just tell me what to do to make it right with you, and I’ll do it.” He stood before me, and my breath lodged in my throat.
He’d caught me at a weak moment, and as he stared at my mouth, I knew he was going to kiss me. Overcome with unwanted emotions, I felt powerless to stop it, even though I knew I’d only feel worse about it later. He leaned forward, and I closed my eyes.
The doorbell rang, snapping me out of my Kenny-induced haze. I retreated several steps. “I need to get that.”
On the way to the door, I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head. I had almost kissed Kenny. “Stupid, Charlee,” I muttered. Twisting the knob, I pulled on the door, as a nervous giggle worked its way up my throat. I swallowed it.
“Cole,” I blinked several times, just in case my mind was playing tricks on me. But no, standing before me illuminated by the dim porch lights was the Sheriff.
“You have impeccable timing.”
Oh no, I just said that out loud.
Cole eyed me curiously. “Are you being sarcastic?” he asked. “If you are, it’s fine. It’s just been a long day, but I wanted to—”
“No, I wasn’t,” I cast a furtive glance backward. Cole looked at me strangely. “Just forget I said that.”
“Can we talk for a minute?”
“Sure,” I nodded, perhaps too eagerly. He had to be thinking I was nuts. Frankly, I was starting to think that myself.
“May I come in?”
My mouth opened, but nothing came out. Might as well get this awkward moment over with. I stepped to the side and Cole walked past me.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I finally regained my senses and decided being hospitable was a favorable approach to the impending awkwardness.
“Sure, coffee if you have it.”
We entered the kitchen, and I barely glanced at Kenny before heading to the coffee maker. I thought I’d let the men figure this one out.
“Sheriff,” Kenny greeted Cole with an underlying layer of both surprise and irritation.
“Kenny,” Cole replied, uncomfortable. “Charlee, if this is a bad time I can come back.”
“No, it’s fine.” Kenny moved toward me. “I was just leaving.”
Liar. He’d been about to kiss me senseless.
“I’ll be right back,” I said to Cole, before following Kenny out.
In the foyer, Kenny turned back to me and sighed. “Are you sure you going to be okay?”
“Yes, I’m good.” I gave him my best fake smile.
He leaned in close. “I can tell you’re lying,” he whispered.
I pursed my lips, not trusting myself to speak at the moment, hating that he knew me so well. Even after ten years apart.
“If you need anything, please call me.”
I nodded my agreement, feeling safe in doing so, seeing as how I didn’t actually have his number.
He fished his wallet out of his back pocket and pulled out his charter fishing business card. “Here’s my number.”
Darn. I took it from him.
“Good night, Charlee.”
“Bye, Kenny.”
Hesitating, he closed the remaining distance and gave me a featherlight kiss on the cheek, then left.
Oh boy. I exhaled another deep breath and took my time returning to the
