A Time for Home: A Snowberry Creek Novel Page 15

  She reached for her water to try to wash down the lump in her throat. It didn’t help, and silence settled over the table for a short time. At least over the course of the discussion, the three of them had made a huge dent in the lasagna. Leif pushed his plate back.

  “That was delicious, Callie. It’s been a long time since I’ve had home cooking.”

  Callie managed a smile. “I’m glad you liked it.”

  Nick started clearing the table. “I’ll put on a fresh pot of coffee before we break out the cookies. Then I’ve got something to show you.”

  Something he seemed nervous about. When his back was toward the table, she shot a questioning look in Leif’s direction but got no response. Okay, then. Something was definitely up, and it had these two big, tough soldiers acting awfully skittish.

  Leaning over closer to Leif, she whispered, “Give me a hint about what’s going on, and I’ll bake you your own batch of cookies.”

  She’d underestimated Nick’s hearing. Despite the noise of the faucet running, he responded, “Corporal.”

  Leif was clearly tempted but then shook his head. “Sorry, Callie, but this is Sarge’s dog and pony show. I wouldn’t want to steal his thunder.”

  “Fine, then.”

  Then, while Nick still had his back to them, she winked at Leif. “I’ll still bake the cookies.”

  “Callie, my friend, you seriously rock.”

  She smiled at him. “Gotta do my part to fatten you up a bit.”

  • • •

  Damn, not only was he capable of being jealous of a dog, but now he resented the small exchange between Callie and Leif. Although she was right on the money about Leif needing to pack on some weight. He must have lost a good twenty pounds since getting his ankle almost blown off. He needed protein, not pastries, but right now seeing Leif acting enthusiastic about anything was good.

  Nick wiped down the kitchen table and the counters before setting out three mugs for the coffee. When he reached for the cookies to set the plastic tub on the table, he hesitated as visions of his mother artfully arranging hers on a fancy plate popped into his head.

  Sorry, Mom, but that’s not happening.

  As a compromise, he did pour some milk into a small pitcher. Besides, a gallon jug took up too much of the room he’d need to spread out the plans for Callie to study. He set out the sugar bowl along with a handful of paper napkins and called it good.

  Leif minded his manners long enough to offer the cookies to Callie first. She took one and set it on a napkin.

  Nick snagged the container out of Leif’s hand and held it out to her again. “Take more than that. They won’t last long the way Leif inhales cookies.”

  His friend didn’t bother to deny it. “Yeah, well, it’s not like you haven’t wolfed down your fair share of them in the past.”

  Callie dutifully took another cookie and waved him off when he continued to offer her more. “No, this is fine. Split the rest between the two of you.”

  Once the coffee was poured and a few cookies consumed, Nick reached for the stack of papers he’d left on the counter. Callie followed his every movement, obviously curious about what was coming next.

  He wiped his hands on his shirt twice before finally unfolding the detailed plans for the gazebo. Taking a deep breath, he slid them over in front of Callie.

  “I saw this and thought about what we talked about for the far corner in the backyard.”

  Callie’s eyes widened as she studied the picture. “It’s beautiful! You’re so right. This would be perfect.”

  Her enthusiasm quickly dimmed. “But having something like this built is going to have to wait until I find out how much else needs to be done to bring the house up to code for a bed-and-breakfast. Not to mention I found out today I have to apply for a variance in the zoning to open a business at this location.”

  She leaned back in her chair and sighed. “I had another talk with the clerk at city hall about building permits and all the other things that it would take to pull the whole project together. It was pretty overwhelming.”

  “One step at a time, Callie. Don’t let it scare you. Maybe we can visit city hall together at some point and ask about what needs to be done to get the variance.”

  She’d started to push the paper back toward him, but he stopped her. “But back to this. I mean it to be a gift from me, so don’t worry about the cost. While we’re checking on the variance, we’ll find out if a permit is needed for a small project like this.”

  “It’s too much, Nick. I can’t accept a gift like this from you.”

  And why the hell not? Guessing that wasn’t the right approach, he tried a different tack. “You’re planning on fixing this place up as a kind of quiet memorial for Spence. Well, this would be my part of that. It would mean a lot to both me and Leif if you’d let us build this.”

  Callie traced the curving line of the gazebo’s roof with a fingertip, her expression more hopeful. “Are you sure? Both of you? It looks like a lot of work.”

  “Don’t worry about that. I’ve been doing carpentry work from plans like these for my dad for years.”

  He nodded toward Leif. “And my boy here takes orders well. He won’t be much of a hindrance.”

  Leif rose to the bait. “Hindrance, my ass. We already agreed I’m the supervisor on this project.”

  Yeah, right. “And remind me again, what qualifies you for that job?”

  “Supervisors sit on their backsides most of the time.” Leif patted the boot that reached halfway up his leg. “I’ve gotten really good at that lately.”

  Nick had to laugh. Damn, he’d missed moments like this exchanging banter with his friends. “You’ve been good at that as long as I’ve known you.”

  Giving Nick a superior look, Leif tidied up his stack of cookies. “We all go with our strengths. That’s the army way.”

  Callie reentered the conversation. “So what all will you need to build this thing?”

  Time to lay his cards on the table. “Most of it will be here tomorrow morning. That’s what I was doing when I was gone today. The hardware store promised to make delivery by ten.”

  For the first time a bit of temper showed in Callie’s hazel eyes. “So you two weren’t actually asking me if you could build the gazebo. You were telling me it’s a done deal.”

  Okay, so maybe it was time to pour everybody some more coffee. A little distance between him and Callie right now seemed like a good idea. “I guess you could look at it that way.”

  The chill of her displeasure followed him across the room and back. “How else should I look at it, Nick?”

  A movement on the other side of the table caught Nick’s attention. Yeah, his so-called friend was having a hard time containing his amusement. He gave Leif one of those looks that promised retribution at the first available opportunity.

  “Leif, wouldn’t you be more comfortable in the living room? Like right now.”

  The jerk actually laughed. “Yeah, probably, but then I wouldn’t have a front-row seat watching you grovel, Sarge. She’s got you on the ropes.”

  That last crack drew some of Callie’s anger in his direction. “You think this is funny, Leif?”

  All good soldiers knew when it was time to make a strategic retreat, and Leif was definitely a good soldier. “Maybe stretching out on the couch would be a good idea. Sarge, can you get me a glass of water so I can take my pills?”

  Nick frowned. Was he due for more already? Maybe so, considering that those lines bracketing his mouth had become more pronounced again. “Sure thing.”

  While he took care of that little chore, Leif kept Callie distracted. “Would you have some extra sheets and blankets? I thought I’d sack out down here on the couch rather than battle those steps tonight.”

  Soft touch that she was, Callie immediately leapt to her feet. “Actua
lly, the sofa in the den is a hide-a-bed. You stay here while I get you all set up.”

  She was off and running before either man could respond. Leif swallowed his pills before standing up. “She’s something, isn’t she? No wonder Spence felt the way he did about her.”

  Rather than answer, Nick watched Leif stand up and waited to be sure his friend could make it to the bathroom off the utility room on his own. Leif didn’t need to hear that Nick understood all too well exactly why Spence had wanted to build a life with Callie.

  Because, God forgive him, Nick felt the same damn way about her.

  Chapter 18

  After giving Leif time to get settled, Callie peeked into the den. “Good night, Corporal. Can I get you anything else before I head back home?”

  He mumbled something that sounded like a cross between “Good night” and “I’m fine.” Either way, she suspected he was nearly asleep, which was a good thing. By the time he’d reached the den, he’d been breathing hard with the effort it took him to walk. Callie hurt for him but knew better than to let it show.

  She debated over whether to close the door but, in the end, left it open. If Leif needed to get up in the night, the fewer the obstacles in his way, the better. With that in mind, she’d also dug up a couple of nightlights to leave burning in the hall and kitchen to light his route to the bathroom.

  Nick was waiting for her near the front door. “I’ll walk you out.”

  She didn’t bother to argue but walked on past him. He’d do what he wanted to anyway. When they reached the car, he handed over the plastic bag that held her dishes, including the empty cookie container. After stowing them in the backseat, she closed the door. When she turned around, it was to find Nick standing close behind her. Too close, or maybe not close enough. Her confusion on the subject had her casting about for something to say.

  “You guys weren’t kidding about the cookies, were you?”

  He smiled for the first time since he’d told her about the gazebo. “Nope. And what Leif doesn’t know is that I already squirreled the rest away where he won’t find them.”

  Despite it all, she bet he’d be sharing them with Leif tomorrow. “Next time I’ll know to make a triple batch. What do you think? Chocolate chip?”

  “Oh, we’re not picky.”

  She feigned hurt feelings, placing her hand over her heart as if his words had wounded her. “So any old cookies will do? Even store-bought?”

  He wrapped his hand around hers, his eyes staring down into her face. “Not at all. I’m pretty damn selective about some things, Callie.”

  Were they still talking about cookies? Somehow she didn’t think so. Her body didn’t think so, either, as a heavy ache stole through her, starting in her chest and moving south. She could feel his body heat and wanted to lean into it. Rather than worry about where all of this was headed, she returned to their earlier topic of conversation.

  “About the gazebo.”

  He leaned in closer. With the car at her back, she had no room to retreat. “What about it?”

  “I love the whole idea, and it’s sweet of you to want to do something like this for Spence. If you want to build it, that’s fine with me. All I’m asking is that next time you talk to me first.”

  His fingers were now toying with a lock of her hair. “Next time? How many gazebos do you think one yard needs?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  She gave his chest a soft shove, but he didn’t budge an inch. If anything, he leaned closer. Enough so that there was the slightest contact between the sensitive tips of her breasts and the hard wall of his chest. Temptation and frustration all rolled into one.

  “Nick?”

  “Callie.” He said her name in a whisper, his breath mingling with hers. “Tell me you want this.”

  She did. That didn’t mean she should. “Are you going to get mad again if we kiss, Nick? Because if so, the answer is no.”

  They hovered there for a long, painful heartbeat while he thought about it. That was answer enough for her. “I should be getting home.”

  He backed up half a step. “Maybe you should.”

  She scrambled into the car and pulled away in a spray of gravel. Her pulse didn’t slow down until she was back at her parents’ house with the doors safely locked. What should she do next? Maybe Leif had the right idea about turning in early, with the added feature of a long soak in a bubble bath first.

  When she carried the empty dishes into the kitchen, she was drawn to the back window. Staring out into the night, she knew exactly what she’d see. Sure enough, there was Nick out walking the perimeter with Mooch at his side, two soldiers on patrol.

  She unlocked the door and stepped outside. It told her a lot that Mooch remained with his sergeant rather than charging over to greet her. Was it because of the mood his friend was in or had they noticed something wasn’t right?

  “Is everything okay?”

  Nick’s steps faltered briefly before he continued his determined march along the edge of the woods. “All is secure out here.”

  That might be true, but it was obvious not everything was okay. He kept moving even when she started down the steps. Callie aimed straight across the yard to cut him off.

  “Nick, stop.”

  When he would have kept walking, she planted herself directly in his path. “Please, Nick. What’s wrong?”

  He finally stopped. “Nothing is wrong. I’m just making sure you got home safe and sound.”

  “There’s more to it than that, Nick.”

  He kept staring past her into the darkness. “I needed to know you’re safe. That there’s no one out there.”

  There was a wildness about him that she’d only glimpsed before. Was this what it was like for him back in Afghanistan? Living with the knowledge that the enemy could be anywhere, anytime, hiding in the shadows or behind the nearest door? Maintaining constant vigilance, nerves on edge all the time?

  She edged closer to him, not sure what his reaction would be if she were to actually touch him. “You’re not downrange, Nick. You’re right here with me in Snowberry Creek.”

  His laughter was ugly. “I know that in here,” he said, pointing at his temple. Then his hand dropped to his chest. “But in here, sometimes I’m still there, still on the hunt for the bastards who wanted me dead and killed my friends. I can feel them out there, just waiting for me to make another mistake.”

  Her heart lurched. “What mistake did you make, Nick?”

  He shook his head and moved back from her, clearly about ready to bolt. “You don’t want to know, Callie, and I don’t want to tell you.”

  He was probably right about that, but she couldn’t stand to see him hurting like this and not do something to help.

  “Fine, Nick, you don’t have to tell me anything, not until you’re ready.”

  This time when she tried to approach him, he remained still, his eyes open wide enough that the whites showed all around. Her hand brushed down his arm lightly as she tried not to spook him into full retreat.

  When he accepted that much from her, she used both hands this time, letting them drift slowly back up his arms to rest on his shoulders. He quivered, his breathing rough, but he stood his ground. Damn, she wished she had a better idea of what to do, but all she could do was go with her instincts.

  She leaned into him, pressing her body along the length of his, but made no effort to wrap him in her arms. They stood there absolutely still for the longest time. Slowly, his stance relaxed slightly. When he finally did move, it was to pull her more fully against his chest, wrapping her in his arms and holding her close.

  Nick rested his forehead against hers. “I don’t mean to scare you, Callie. That’s the last thing I want to do.”

  She tilted her head back far enough to make sure he could see her clearly. “You don’t scare me, Nick. Frustrate me,
yes. Confuse me, yes, but that’s all.”

  “Well, considering you have the same effect on me, lady, it only seems fair.”

  When he smiled, she knew everything was going to be okay, at least for now. When she started to step away, he tightened his grip on her. “I’m going to kiss you, Callie, unless you tell me to stop.”

  Then he claimed her mouth before she had a chance to respond one way or another. His kiss was hot, hungry, and demanding. His tongue swept past her lips, staging a gentle assault on her control. Her knees turned to jelly and her hands didn’t know what to do with themselves. Finally, she latched onto the soft cotton of his shirt and held on for dear life.

  His shorts did little to disguise the impact this was having on him. She moaned and rubbed against the rigid length of his erection. He immediately cupped her bottom with both hands and raised her up to increase the pressure enough to almost send her flying over the edge.

  “Nick, please!”

  She didn’t know exactly what she wanted, but what she got was dragged down to the ground. The grass was cool and damp along the backs of her legs and arms, but that was a luscious contrast to the burning heat of the man stretched out above her. There might be better, more appropriate places for what they were doing, but right now she couldn’t think of a single one.

  His hands were everywhere. Tangled in her hair one second as he kissed her hard and deep and then kneading her breasts the next. When he tugged her shirt up to reveal her plain cotton bra, she wished she’d worn something better, something lacy. Nick didn’t seem to mind, especially because with a quick flick of his fingers, he unfastened the front clasp and shoved it out of the way.

  His mouth was liquid heat as he worked the sensitive tip of her breast with his teeth and tongue. She arched up, asking him without words for more. He obliged her, murmuring in approval against her skin.

  She tugged on his shirt, pulling it up until she could slide her hands across the well-defined lines of his tanned skin she’d been aching to touch for days. His muscles flexed under her touch, all that masculine strength hers for the taking.