Read She's Just Right (A Fairy Tale Romance) Online

Authors: Diane Darcy

Tags: #Romance

She's Just Right (A Fairy Tale Romance) (8 page)

BOOK: She's Just Right (A Fairy Tale Romance)
6.04Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads
Seth looked indignant. “You’re looking around as much as we are.”
“Yeah,” agreed Isaac.
Was he? “Whatever. I thought we were having?”
Seth shook his head.
Isaac did, too.
Dylan threw up the hand still clutching the pliers. “Jeeze! We might as well
give
the warden our fishing poles. He’s taking everything else.” Jaw tight, Dylan stared down at the gasping fish. This was bogus. Dylan missed his dad. When his dad took him fishing, they had fun doing it.
The fish jerked again and, looking at it, Dylan started to feel sick. His dad didn’t believe in snagging, or in killing anything you weren’t going to eat. Reaching down, he threw the fish head first back into the water.
A flash of red and yellow disappeared underneath the surface, and it took Dylan a second to realize his dad’s best fishing lure was attached to the fish’s tail. “No!”
Dylan jumped into the water and made a grab for the fish, but it was too late. The water was dark and the fish was gone.
Dylan’s feet sank into the silt. He had helped his dad make that lure and his dad claimed it was the most perfect one they’d ever done. He loved it and would want to use it when he got back from Iraq.
Dylan smacked the water and his eyes started to burn. “What am I going to do?” His voice cracked, which made him feel weak. Like a baby.
Rage boiled up inside him. This was all the warden’s fault. They’d never have even been out here if he weren’t so mean they felt they had to show him.
Dylan hated him.
Hated him!
He turned and dragged himself to the shore and both his friends gripped a hand and hauled him the rest of the way out.
Dylan didn’t even feel the cold. “Come on. I’ve got an idea. We’re going to have some real fun.”
Chapter Five
 
“There’s that bear I was looking for,” said Honey, feeling slightly vindicated.
“What?” Trevor pulled the truck into his parents’ long driveway.
Honey pointed. “The carved bear by the mailbox. That was the landmark I was searching for when I drove out this way the other night. You can blame him for my breaking and entering stint.”
Trevor nodded. “I carved the bears. My sisters have them by their mailboxes, too.”
“You made them?” Honey stared from him, to the bear, then back again. “They’re really nice. That’s quite a talent.”
“Thanks.”
She raised a hand. “But that’s completely beside the point. The fact that you carved those bears makes my life of crime, specifically my foray into breaking and entering, entirely your fault.” She arched a brow. “Don’t you agree?”
Trevor lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. An accessory, maybe.”
Honey pointed at him. “I’ll take it. If anyone asks, you’re at least half to blame. Agreed?”
Trevor chuckled. “Okay. Half.”
A smile still on her face, Honey got out of the truck and looked around. “What a wonderful property.”
“Yeah. It was a good place to grow up.”
Before her lay a huge, country-style, three level home, complete with a wrap-around porch. A breezeway separated the house from an oversized three-car garage and Honey glimpsed a swimming pool in the backyard.
Trees were interspersed throughout a huge expanse of green lawn dotted with yellow flowers in the front yard. Off to one side of the driveway, a white picket fence separated a picnic area, complete with outdoor tables, comfortable chairs and overhead trees. Very, very nice.
Honey walked beside Trevor to the front doors and her steps slowed the closer she got. What she was doing here? A sudden surge of homesickness engulfed her. She wanted her house, her job and her fiancé. She didn’t know these people, had embarrassed herself horribly, and now was going to spend the entire evening with them? She suppressed a sigh. Maybe after she settled things with Mr. Baron, she could relax.
Trevor opened the door and immediately a child’s voice yelled out, “Trevor’s here!”
Honey stepped into the large entry and spotted the child, about eight years old or so, at the top of a staircase made of light wood. The petite girl took one look at Honey, flicked long e hair over one shoulder, and ran up and out of sight.
Trevor directed Honey into a huge great room, complete with a stone fireplace that reached to the second-story ceiling, and an overhead balcony from which the little girl grinned down at them.
Adults and children lounged on the chairs, three kids played clue at a corner table, and a couple of men energetically competed to win a foosball game at the far end of the room.
Laura Baron came forward. “Hello, Honey. It’s so good to see you again.” She took her hand, pressed it for a moment, then moved to hold Trevor’s face with both hands. She pulled him down and kissed his cheek. “I thought you’d be here sooner.”
Trevor shrugged. “Flat tire.”
Laura tsked. “Honey, let me introduce you to everyone.” She indicated a couple of older women, both with salt and pepper hair, sitting on the couch. One held a tiny baby. “These are my sisters, Linda and Lisa.”
Both women nodded. “Pleased to meet you.”
“And my oldest daughter, Amber.” A woman, mid-thirties, waved from an easy chair.
“And that’s her husband beside her and...”
Honey lost track of the names. The Baron family was big, and everyone was welcoming.
A little girl, about three, sporting a mischievous grin and brown pigtails, deliberately ran into Honey’s legs. Honey caught the tyke and smiled. “And just what do you think you’re doing?”
The girl laughed and reached for Trevor who grabbed her and hefted her into the air, provoking a shriek. “What are you up to, munchkin?” he growled.
A sandy-haired man came forward to claim the tyke. “I’ll take that.”
Trevor handed the laughing girl over. “Honey. This is Paul, a friend of mine.”
“Nice to meet you.” Paul shook her hand, let the wiggling child go, then put an arm around the small, dark-haired woman who joined him. “This is my wife Mandy.” The pretty, slender woman looked to be around Honey’s own age.
“Excuse me, young lady,” one of Trevor’s Aunts, the one holding the baby, said from her place on the couch. “But are you the girl who went and stayed at Trevor’s place by accident? Or was that someone else?”
Honey laughed, feeling residual embarrassment, but also glad to get it out of the way. She hung her head and nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid that was me.”
Trevor raised a hand. “But apparently I’m half to blame since I placed the bear out front, so...” Trevor shrugged and everyone laughed.
Grateful for his words and his presence, Honey grinned at her own fickleness. Earlier she couldn’t wait to get away from Trevor, and now she felt like they were friends and didn’t want him to desert her. She was actually glad to be staying at his place with him and Elizabeth. Too many curious people here.
Laura beckoned from an arched doorway. “Honey, why don’t you come with me? We can chat while I cook.”
Reluctant to leave her ally, Honey glanced at Trevor, but he was chatting with his friend so she made her way across the room and into a well-designed country kitchen with slate and hardwood floors. Amber and Mandy joined them. Amber picked up a handful of mixed nuts from the bowl on the counter. “Where are you from, Honey?”
“Napa.”
“Ooh. Good wine. We always stop at the ZD winery when we’re down that way. They have the best Pinot Noirs. Have you been there?”
Honey shook her head. “No, but now I’ll be sure to look them up.”
“So, are you married?”
“Engaged.”
Amber nodded. “You’re a realtor?”
“Yes. I’m hoping to purchase some property from your father.”
Amber nodded again and Honey noticed the other ladies seemed to be listening. “Can I help with the food?” she asked Laura, who was mixing a pasta salad.
“Oh, no, thank you. You’re a guest and, besides, everything is almost done. The boys just have to grill the meat.”
A cell phone rang on the counter and Amber picked it up and turned away. Honey remembered her own was on silent and dug it out of her purse and checked it. She’d missed a couple of calls from her boss, but could call him back later. There was no call from Christian despite her messages.
A large man with a slight pot belly and a thick head of graying hair, came in the back door. “The grill’s ready.” He announced loudly and with good humor. “Where’s the meat?”
“Oh, Honey. This is my husband, Greg,” said Laura. “Greg, Honey.”
Greg rounded the counter, held out a large hand and took hers in a firm grip. She instantly liked the twinkle in his brown eyes. “Nice to meet you, Honey.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you. You have a wonderful family. I’m hoping you and I get the chance to talk tonight about the piece of property I’d like to purchase on behalf of my employer.”
He shook his head. “Not tonight, we won’t. It’s a party, isn’t it girls?” He looked around, a huge grin on his face.
Laura grinned back at him. “Yes, it is. The steak, chicken and hot dogs are in the refrigerator. Remember, don’t put the meat back on the same plates, or I’ll skin you alive.”
They weren’t going to talk tonight? Disappointment had Honey slowly sinking down onto a bar stool. She’d come to talk business and didn’t want to waste any more time. If they weren’t going to get anything done, she could have stayed at Trevor’s and studied for tomorrow’s test. Or slept, or tried to get in touch with Christian. She could...
She shook her head and smiled at her thoughts. Good company and good food and she was complaining? Besides, she knew better than anyone that most deals were made between friends. So she might as well relax and enjoy the party.
Paul stuck his head in the doorway. “Honey, I challenge you to a game of foosball. How about it?”
Mandy shook her head. “Don’t do it. He’s almost as competitive as Trevor. He’ll show you no mercy.”
Honey laughed and headed out, determined to enjoy herself. “Then he’d better expect none in return.”

***

 
Trevor headed outside to help his dad grill. It would give him the added benefit of avoiding Honey and, since he liked her way too much, it was probably a good idea.
He shut the French door behind him and walked out onto the deck. “Need any help?”
His dad glanced up. “Hey, son. Glad you’re here.” He sprinkled a bit of seasoning on the chicken, set the bottle down and put his fingers to his lips. “Shh. Don’t tell your mom.” He grinned. “And nope, I don’t need anything, but you can keep me company.”
Trevor glanced through the window at Honey. She looked like she was having fun at the foosball table.
“That’s a cute girl you brought with you,” his dad said.
Trevor realized he was staring and glanced away. “I guess.”
“Any chance the two of you might get together?”
Trevor eyed his dad. “What about your business dealings with Honey’s boss? I thought you were going to give Honey a hard time.”
His dad waved his hand. “That’ll all be over soon. Anyway, I’m a good judge of character. After meeting her, I doubt she’s involved. What do you think?”
Trevor shrugged. “I doubt it, too. But it doesn’t matter, anyway. Honey’s engaged, so asking her out would be pointless.”
His dad’s black brows rose. “That’s too bad.” He paused, rolled a couple of hot dogs over, then looked up with a sly smile. “But, you know, engaged isn’t married. Your mom was engaged to another guy before I stole her away. You know the saying. All’s fair in love and war. Fiancé stealing is practically a family tradition.”
Trevor crossed his arms. “I don’t even really know her, Dad. Besides, I doubt Honey will be hanging out with us after the contract is signed.”
His dad smiled. “So we don’t sign it for a while.”
Trevor looked at Honey again. The foosball game was over, Paul having won, and Honey was smiling and talking with the family. When she laughed, his lips tilted in response.
He definitely liked her.
She made him want things he’d given up on. A wife, children, a family of his own. She was the first girl he’d been attracted to in three years. Since his wife left, in fact. He actually
would
like the chance to see if it could go anywhere. Trevor looked at his dad.
His dad grinned, nodded, wiggled his brows. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
Trevor looked at Honey again. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to spend a little time with her.” He could open himself up to the possibility of seeing if it could lead anywhere. Why not just see?
His dad laughed and slapped him on the back. “That’s my boy. Now tell your mom the hot dogs and chicken are done. The steaks won’t take too long.” He squeezed Trevor’s shoulder. “Let’s get this party started.”

***

 
“Trevor is a wonderful craftsman,” said his Aunt Linda. “And he’s such a hard worker, too.”
Honey squirmed to get more comfortable on the family room couch and glanced at her watch. She wanted to go back to Trevor’s place early so she’d still have a chance to call Christian. “He seems like a great guy.”
“He did most of the work on his house, you know. And he makes beautiful furniture.” Her pride was obvious and sweet.
“I’m impressed,” said Honey.
Linda smiled and patted Honey’s knee.
And Honey
was
impressed. Frankly, she was impressed with the whole family. Dinner had been wonderful, and Trevor kindly sat beside her and made her feel comfortable. And his family was so much fun. They really seemed to be enjoying each other’s company as they finished dessert, chatted, and played games throughout the great room.
It made her feel she’d been missing something. Her own family lived in Los Angeles and, with everyone so busy, they rarely got together anymore.
Christian’s family lived nearby in Napa, but were so reserved Honey felt awkward around them. The thought made her feel disloyal. But Honey wished Christian could be here to see this.
BOOK: She's Just Right (A Fairy Tale Romance)
6.04Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

Minutes to Midnight by Phaedra Weldon
Flight from Hell by Yasmine Galenorn
Passion's Mistral by Charlotte Boyett-Compo
Hubris: How HBOS Wrecked the Best Bank in Britain by Perman, Ray, Darling, Alistair
Prince of Wrath by Tony Roberts
Layla by E. L. Todd
Jill by Philip Larkin