When Love Strikes Read online

  Max was busy sunbathing in the front yard when she pulled into the driveway, but he popped right up and met her before she closed the car door. “Hey. I don’t blame you for soaking up some rays today.”

  The sky was crystal clear, making it an ideal day for sunbathing, an activity she might engage in today depending on how long she visited with Mia. Angie gave the dog a scratch behind the ears, and like an obedient usher, he walked alongside her to the front door.

  Although her sister was expecting her, Sean answered the door, not Mia. He had Natalie against his shoulder, his large hands supporting her head and tiny body. For perhaps the thousandth time, she mentally shook her head. While he might not be someone who could further Mia’s career, Sean was a great guy who loved her sister and adored their daughter. Instead of accepting him and Mia’s decision to leave acting, Mom constantly told her sister what a mistake she’d made and tried to convince her to divorce Sean and salvage her career before it was too late.

  Sean gave her a one-armed hug and then closed the door. “Mia went up to take a quick shower. Natalie decided her breakfast belonged in her mom’s hair instead of in her stomach.”

  She touched the baby’s little fist. “I can’t believe someone so sweet would do something so mean.”

  Kissing the top of his daughter’s head, he started walking toward the living room. “Believe it. This wasn’t first the time Natalie’s eaten and decided the meal would look better on one of us.” Rather than settle Natalie in one of the many baby-safe contraptions in the room, he sat and repositioned her against his chest. “Mia told me Lynn is staying with you when she comes. Thank you.”

  “Not a problem.”

  The look Sean sent her said he knew she was lying but wasn’t going to say anything. “Any progress with the interior designer?”

  Angie made herself comfortable in an armchair across from Sean. “We’re getting closer. I have my fingers crossed that when I meet with him this week, I can give his plans the green light. When I want to relax, I love a long hot bath, but I need a shower in the house.”

  “Taking the time to fill a bathtub every morning would drive me nuts. If you meet with the guy and still don’t like his plans, I can remodel the master bathroom for you.”

  She’d seen the gorgeous master bathroom he’d completed upstairs, so he was certainly capable of remodeling hers, but a project like that would take considerable time. Time he’d rather spend with his family, and they both knew it. “I’ll keep it in mind.”

  They sat chatting about nothing specific until Mia joined them. Her sister looked tired but otherwise happy as she plopped down on the sofa next to her husband. Carefully, Sean transferred Natalie to Mia before kissing her on the cheek.

  “I’ll be back in a few hours,” he said, coming to his feet. “Do you need anything while I’m out?”

  Mia started to shake her head but then paused. “Actually, if you think of it, can you grab some bread? We’re almost out.”

  “Will do.” Sean kissed Mia again and then Natalie before looking Angie’s way. “Remember what I said about your bathroom. I don’t mind.”

  “I will, promise.”

  With Sean gone, Mia turned her full attention Angie’s way. “I know you’ve already dismissed his offer, but Sean really loves remodeling. I think he’s bored now that he finished all the projects around here. And I think they’ve just about finished everything at Dakota’s house too.”

  Last night Dakota had mentioned the previous owners of his house had torn out all the cabinets in the kitchen before moving out. Other than the kitchen, she wondered what other rooms the owners had damaged.

  “And speaking of Dakota, how was your date last night?”

  The image of them kissing near the front door flashed through her mind, and a ripple of anticipation passed through her. The kiss had been tender and as light as a summer breeze, but it had left her mouth burning and wanting more. “Good.”

  Mia’s shoulders slumped, and she frowned. “Just good? I was hoping you two would hit it off.”

  “We’re going out again tonight.” Angie’s comment earned her a glare.

  “If you’re going out again, it must have been more than just good.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re right. I just wanted to see what your reaction would be.”

  Angie would admit giving Mia a hard time might not be nice, but sometimes it was simply fun. And if the tables were reversed and Mia had gone out with one of Angie’s friends, her sister would consider doing the same thing. Of course, neither would ever think about doing it to Avery. She didn’t have much of a sense of humor and took herself way too seriously.

  “I had a great time. We had dinner at the Liberty Tavern and then went to a comedy club in Salem. Afterward we filled up on some of the treats in the basket Maureen brought me.”

  “And?”

  “And I gave him a tour of the house. He seemed really interested in the architecture.”

  Her sister rolled her eyes. “The man has a mouth that screams ‘kiss me.’ So did you?”

  She didn’t disagree, but once again she couldn’t resist the opportunity to give Mia a hard time. “You’ve noticed?”

  “Believe me, I’ve noticed. I’m married, not dead. Dakota’s smile is one in a million. If you had a nice enough time to go on a second date, you must have kissed. So how was it?”

  “As fabulous as you’d expect.” Since her sister hadn’t offered, Angie gestured toward her niece. “Can I hold her?”

  Mia didn’t hesitate to stand and bring Natalie over. “Sure. It’s been over an hour since she ate, so it should be safe. I don’t know about you, but I haven’t eaten yet. Do you want something to drink or eat?”

  Her stomach rumbled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten today either. “How about both?”

  “Follow me.”

  She’d been in the kitchen more times than she could count, but she hadn’t really paid much attention to its features. While her sister set out what looked like homemade blueberry bread and plates, she took in the details. Often in homes similar to this one, the kitchen was a place to prepare food but not linger. Angie hadn’t seen the original kitchen, but she assumed this one had been no different. That was no longer case. Now the room was not only a place to cook meals but also where the family could sit down and enjoy them. It was exactly the type of kitchen she wanted in her house.

  “Before I leave, I want to take a few pictures of this room so I can email them to Gregg. Maybe then he’ll have a better idea of what I’m looking for.” She wished she’d thought of doing that a week ago. If she had, maybe they would’ve made more headway by now.

  Mia placed two cups of tea down. “Take pictures of whatever you want.” She got the milk from the refrigerator and added it to the table, then sat. “What are you and Dakota doing tonight?”

  “A ghost tour in Salem. Do you remember the name of the one you and Sean went on?” She transferred Natalie to her left arm so she could eat. “Since you enjoyed it so much, I thought I’d make reservations with them.”

  “I’ve got to think about it. I remember the tour started at the Hamilton Hotel. And Sean and I had dinner at The Scarlet Letter, the restaurant in the hotel, before the tour.” Mia’s forehead pinched with concentration as she poured milk into her tea.

  Angie was about to suggest they just do a search for ghost tours that started at the hotel when Mia snapped her fingers.

  “Bewitched Footsteps. When you go, make sure you wear comfortable shoes. It’s a long tour with a lot of walking. I made the mistake of wearing heels, and we couldn’t finish.”

  Before she forgot the name, she brought up the website and made reservations. Then she sent Dakota a text message letting him know what time she’d pick him up. She didn’t get a chance to slip the device back in her pocket before a text from Avery popped up. Even though she’d known her sister would reach out again today, she sighed.

  “What’s wrong? Are they booked tonight?”<
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  Eyeing the message, she considered her response. “I made reservations.” She pointed to the cell phone. “Avery sent me another text. She sent me several last night too, and that was after a lengthy conference call with her and Skylar. I promised to call her back today, but evidently she couldn’t wait.”

  “Let me guess, they found the perfect project for you.” Before Avery worked as her personal assistant, she’d been Mia’s. The same was true of Angie’s agent, Skylar Henderson. Both women were disappointed when Mia decided to focus on her family and finishing the degree she’d started years ago rather than her acting career.

  “Yep. And I’m not interested, but they don’t want to hear it. Especially Avery.” Although both women worked for her, Skylar respected the employee/employer relationship far better than Avery, who considered herself an older sister first and a personal assistant second. Angie typed a short message promising to call as soon as she got home. Then she put the device on vibrate so her sister could send as many more texts as she wanted and Angie wouldn’t have to hear the phone chirp a thousand times.

  “Then you’ve decided to stick around here for a while.”

  The vision of Dakota handing her flowers and bestowing one of his killer smiles took center stage in her thoughts. “That’s my plan.”

  ***

  Sweat slid down Dakota’s back, making his T-shirt stick to his skin. He enjoyed exercising, but he hated running. If it were up to him, swimming instead of running would be part of his weekly workout program. But like a lot of things in life, it wasn’t up to him. Every year the Bureau required all agents to take a physical fitness test, and running, not swimming, was part of it. So at least three days a week, he ran. During the nice weather, he did it outside, because if he had to do it, he might as well be able to enjoy some fresh air. When it rained or was simply too cold, he used the treadmill at the gym.

  For a change of scenery, he’d tried a new route today and run from his house to the bike trail that started down near the Stonefield Dam and continued into Marblehead. When he’d started out, he had the trail mostly to himself, but as he headed back into town and the park, more and more people passed by him. He could see the two granite posts marking the end of the trail when his cell phone dinged, interrupting the song coming through his earbuds. Slowing his pace, he pulled the device out of the armband strapped around his bicep.

  Dakota, we have reservations for tonight. Tour starts at 8:30. Okay if I pick you up around 8:00?

  He anticipated doing the driving again tonight, but she could take care of it if she wanted.

  If you want to come by around 6:30, I’ll grill us dinner.

  He didn’t bake breads or cookies, and the meals he made on the stove didn’t always turn out the way he intended, but he was a master with the grill.

  Various meal ideas floated through his mind as he walked off the bike trail and started for the street.

  What can I bring?

  He didn’t have to think before answering her question.

  Just you.

  If you think of anything else, let me know.

  Dakota crossed Lincoln Street and broke into a slow jog again. The sooner he got home and cleaned up, the sooner he could drive over to the butcher in Danvers. The meat selection at the grocery store in town was adequate, but it didn’t compare to the one at the butcher. Meat wasn’t the only thing they sold either. They usually had a good selection of fresh vegetables from nearby farms as well as a decent selection of wine. While over there, he’d stop at the bakery next door and grab something for dessert. The same family who owned the butcher operated it, but he’d never gone in before. Since it was right next door, it would allow him to make one less stop today.

  Before heading up to the shower, Dakota made a quick detour to the large deck off the kitchen. One of the few features of the house the previous owners hadn’t destroyed, it stood only a foot or so off the ground and stretched from the back of the house around to the left-hand side. Near the center of the deck, three steps led down to the stone walkway that encircled the in-ground pool, another feature that had remained untouched while the house was empty. Closer to the house, a hot tub large enough for perhaps four adults was set into the deck. Regardless of the temperature outside, he enjoyed soaking in the hot tub, especially on those more stressful days at work.

  After checking to make sure the grill had gas, he turned to head back inside. His eyes fell on the hot tub. If Angie brought along a swimsuit, they could come back after the tour and enjoy a soak. Of course, if she preferred going in naked, something he did occasionally, he wouldn’t complain either.

  Pulling his phone out, he typed out a message suggesting she bring a bathing suit. Rather than send the text, he deleted it. This was only their second evening together. If he sent the message he’d just deleted, she might interpret it to mean he expected more than her company tonight. And he didn’t. Well, unless fudge counted as expecting more than an enjoyable evening out. Last night she had promised to bring along what Maureen added to the welcome basket. Fudge, homemade or store bought, wasn’t something he’d ever turn down.

  He glanced around one last time. A few leaves and some pollen covered the patio tables and chairs, but he’d have more than enough time to clean both when he got back. Entering the kitchen, he left his cell phone on the counter and headed upstairs, somehow more eager for the evening ahead than he’d been last night—a fact he’d thought impossible.

  Chapter Seven

  The whine of the siren from either an ambulance or fire truck suddenly filled the air. It was a sound Dakota heard on a regular basis, because both the fire station and the police station were within walking distance of his house. To stay informed of what went on around town, he checked the monthly report log both stations published, so he knew that usually when the ambulance went out, it was for nonlife-threatening injuries. It was a similar situation for the fire trucks. While they did have the occasional severe house fire, most of the time when they went on a call, it was for either small structural fires or car accidents. He sincerely hoped whatever the call was now it was a minor one.

  A second siren disturbed the silence again as he opened the front door. The sound barely registered thanks to the vision standing on his steps. Unlike last night, Angie was dressed much more casually today in khaki-colored shorts that showed off just how long her legs really were. She’d paired them with a light purple tank top that, although snug, didn’t look like it might cut off all the circulation in her upper body. It did, however, accentuate her breasts, and he knew for the next several hours he’d have to remind himself not to stare. She’d pulled her long dark hair into a ponytail, giving her that girl-next-door look. She’d also kept her makeup light.

  Last night he’d kissed her as a way to say goodbye, so he saw no reason not to kiss her now as a way to say hello. Unlike last night, he didn’t let his lips linger on hers, although they certainly wanted to.

  “I hope you’re hungry,” he said after they exchanged a verbal greeting.

  Her eyes drifted to the vicinity of his mouth for a brief moment and then met his as her lips spread in a smile—one that had him thinking about what he was really hungry for, and it definitely wasn’t the filets on the grill.

  “Starving.” She held up a plastic container. “Almost ate all this on my way over.” Angie pulled off the cover, revealing a box full of chocolate squares.

  Filets might be on the grill, but he couldn’t resist the sugary treat on display and plucked one from the container. “I almost sent you a text reminding you to bring this today.” The dense chocolate fudge laced with peanut butter melted in his mouth. “Wow. That. Is. Good.” He eyed the container, contemplating a second piece. Rather than reaching inside, he took Angie’s hand and helped her put the cover back on. “Do whatever you have to, but don’t let me eat any more until after dinner.”

  One of her dark eyebrows arched. “Whatever I have to?”

  Desire and excitement ripped through hi
m, and his feet moved him closer before his brain realized what his body was doing. Lowering his face toward hers, he stopped just before their lips touched.

  “Whatever.” He whispered the word against her mouth before covering it with his. This time he took his time, learning the shape and feel of her lips before coaxing them apart so he could learn the taste of her too.

  Angie’s free hand settled on his neck as her breasts pressed into his chest. The intimate contact sent an instant message to the blood in his body, and it all rushed south of his belt buckle. With her so close, he doubted there was any way she wouldn’t notice. But at the moment there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.

  He allowed himself one last pass over her lips before he pulled back. It was either end the kiss or recommend they continue their greeting while naked and in the hot tub. Since he didn’t want to pressure her into doing anything, ending the kiss seemed the better of the two ideas.

  “I have everything set up for us to eat outside.” After locking the front door, he took her hand and led her through the living room and into the kitchen.

  Leaving the fudge on the counter, she glanced around the room. “Did you do all the work in here?”

  The kitchen had been the first project he’d tackled after buying the home. Although a professional might have done a slightly better job, he liked the way the room turned out. “For the most part, but a few friends helped me out. Especially Sean. The guy’s an expert when it comes to remodeling houses.”