Discovering Pride (Pride Series) (3 page)

The walls of the room were still painted a deep pink from yet another request as a teenager. She supposed that her room really did reflect her childhood personality. Now, looking around, she realized she had somewhat outgrown everything in the room. Gone was the child who wanted pink walls, ballet barres, and canopy beds high up in her own castle.

Stepping into her bathroom and the shower, her mind played over the scene at the pond. It had been the closest she’d ever gotten to a naked man. She had truly been sheltered growing up. Her brothers had always protected her by keeping the boys at bay. But now, she was almost twenty five, she could make up her own mind about the men she did or didn’t see in her life. After what she’d seen at the pond, she knew she wanted to see more of the blonde man who swam naked in someone else’s pond.

An hour later, she was still distracted by her thoughts as she walked towards Megan and Todd’s place; Bernard was on her heels, no doubt hoping for some tummy rubs and left overs.

Aaron
been invited to Todd and Megan’s for dinner; and they were fast becoming some of his favorite people in the small town. He had walked over to their house using the short path from his place several times now. He had even journeyed to the beach past the cottages they rented out as part of their bed and breakfast business.

He’d just reached the edge of clearing at the back of the big house, when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He rubbed his eyes to make sure the image didn’t disappear this time. He stood in the middle of the path and watched the water pixie walk right towards the house. Her head was lowered as she spoke to the dog that walked beside her.

She wore a white flowing sun dress the color of snow. Her shoulders were bare, and he saw with great pleasure that her back was almost fully exposed. He watched her float out of the forest and up the back steps into the house.

When she disappeared inside, the yellow dog he’d met earlier on the path laid down on the back steps in front of the door. Aaron continued towards the house with a wide smile on his face.

When Lacey walked in to the house, she found Megan and Todd in the kitchen kissing. They must not have heard her, so she coughed softly and they slowly pulled away from one another. Todd kept his arms lightly around his new bride.

The kitchen was one of Lacey’s favorite rooms in this house. It was old fashioned but with newer appliances, thanks to Matt who had redecorated it shortly after moving in. He’d chosen nice light colors making the room feel like spring every day of the year. Lacey loved cooking, but she really enjoyed it more in someone else’s kitchen.

“
How are my favorite people today?” she asked making herself at home and then she noticed that Todd had cooked a large meal. Pots and pans simmered on the large stove. The place smelled of good food.

Her family had become accustomed to treating this house as home when Matt, Megan’s brother, had lived here, and they continued to do so now that Megan and Todd called it home.

“We are doing just great.” Todd walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

From outside Bernard let out a happy bark. Then there was a knock on the door.

“Oh, I forgot.” Megan said with a smile. “We invited Dr. Stevens for dinner.”

“Oh, good, it’ll be nice to see …” Lacey’s words stopped short when Todd opened the door. The man from the pond was walking in instead of the hundred year old doctor that Lacey had grown up knowing.

“What are you doing here?” Lacey asked taking two full steps backwards, bumping into the stove.

Aaron walked in and shook Todd’s outstretched hand, he sent Lacey a quick smile across the room. “Good evening.” he said to Todd. “Thank you for inviting me.”

Slightly concerned, Todd turned towards Lacey and said. “Lacey, this is Dr. Stevens’ grandson, Aaron. Now that his grandfather has retired, he is our new doctor. Aaron, this is my sister Lacey.”

Lacey remembered now, of course she had heard about it, it had been all over town.

Aaron walked towards Lacey. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He held out his hand. With satisfaction he saw her hands dart behind her back right before she slowly reached out to take his own in a shaky handshake.

He held her hand in his and felt the warmth from her soft skin. Lingering far more than he should have, he enjoyed seeing her eyes fire up and her cheeks heat.

Lacey tugged her hand free and put it behind her back again trying to not look guilty. After all, she didn’t do anything that would make her feel ashamed. It was, after all, her private swimming hole. She grew up swimming in it every summer. It was Aaron who should be feeling guilty, after all, who was he to jump naked in her pond.

Aaron took a good look at her; she was smaller than he’d first thought. Her head was below his shoulders, and with her tiny frame she looked very delicate.

“
I purchased the Bell’s house just down the way.” he smiled. “I’m rebuilding it, it’s hot and hard work. That pond of yours was sure nice and cool today. Just what the doctor ordered.” he gave her a large smile and winked at her, clearly telling her what he meant.

“
Oh, you found the pond did you? It really isn’t ours.  I guess it borders all three properties.” Todd said.

“Megan, you’re looking better.” Lacey changed the subject quickly. She was sure her face was turning beet red. Was it getting hotter in the room, or was it just her?

“I feel a lot better, I’m just glad the morning sickness is over. Now, I just get tired early in the evenings.” she smiled. “Todd, why don’t you and Aaron go set the table in the dining room? Lacey and I will finish up in here and bring dinner out.”

“Sure, come on in to the den.”

When the men left the room, Megan turned on Lacey. “Okay, what was that all about?”

“Please, please, just shoot me.” Lacey sat down at the table and put her head down on the cool wood. “This afternoon, I was taking my normal swim at the pond, and well… bumped into him. I guess he had the same idea of how to cool off as I did.”

Megan smiled down at the back of Lacey’s head. Todd and her had gone swimming in the pond a few nights ago themselves to “cool off”. She knew how they had swam and imagined Lacey and Aaron had been swimming the same way—naked.

Megan sat down on a chair and a small laugh escape her lips. “Oh, that is rich. Tell me all the details.” She said leaning forward over her small, but growing belly.

Lacey looked up and for a second time her face flushed. Then she leaned in and told her friend and sister every detail.

Dinner was different from anything Aaron had ever experienced. These people actually talked to each other and laughed while enjoying their meal. He was sucked into feeling like he was part of their family. At one point, he was laughing so hard, he thought he might choke on the meatloaf.

Growing up, his parents had been too wrapped up in their careers and wealth to raise him themselves. Most of his childhood had been spent in boarding schools. Teachers had been his only authority figures. His only true enjoyment, when he’d been young, was his two weeks that he spent visiting his grandfather’s house in Pride every other summer.

During dinner Lacey had caught Aaron staring at her several times and by the end of the evening she was a ball of nerves. Her anxiety increased when he suggested he walk her home.

The sun was just setting when they headed towards her house. She was quiet besides him and kept her eyes on the path ahead. A little nervous of what to say to him, she chose to walk in silence.

Aaron walked beside her. He had gotten the impression from Todd and Megan, that she was usually in charge of, well, everything. It was nice to see her jump when he had brushed up against her when he reached for a dish.

As they walked he could hear crickets chirping and frogs calling out to find a mate.  At one point he even heard an owl hooting and then all was silent. He took in a deep breath of fresh air and enjoyed the smells of pine. This is what he had wanted, no, what he needed.

When they reached the fork in the path she turned to face him. “You don’t have to walk me all the way. I can make it home myself.”

“What? Let you be grabbed on the way back to your house? No, I’ll make sure you get to your door safe and sound.” he said smiling down at her.

“The only one that’s been grabbing me is you.” she said turning back on him and started to march away.

He grabbed her shoulders and turned her back to face him. Looking down into her face, he could see the fear and the hurt he had caused.

“I’ll apologize for that, there was no excuse for my actions.” he shook his head still holding her firm. He could remember feeling hurt not too long ago. Releasing her shoulders, he turned and started walking back down the path.

“It was nice meeting you Lacey, have a good night,” he said over his shoulder as he continued to walk down the path towards his house.

“
Good night.” she said under her breath. She stared at his back then turned down her own path.  She thought about the days’ events and the man she’d just met. She wondered what she’d just gotten herself into.