Don't Break (The Reluctant Heart Book 1) Read online

  “Keep your voice down,” she warned. “You know Mom likes to sneak up on us.”

  “I understood why when we were teenagers, but you’d think she’d have stopped that by now,” Shanda said, looking over her shoulder in case her mom was lurking nearby.

  “Before it was for discipline. Now it’s just nosey,” DeeDee laughed.

  As though on cue, she appeared from around the other side of the house. “Who is nosey?”

  They bit back their laughter and Shanda said, “A woman from the Gazette Mom.”

  “Well you know reporters. They have to listen if they want a good story. That has me thinking. Maybe we should put your engagement in the paper DeeDee. We can even put a nice picture of you and Larry. What do you think?”

  I think this is my chance to leave. “I’ll let you two discuss this. I have a few things I want to take care of at home.” Like a shower, and shaving.

  She really didn’t think DeeDee was right, but just in case, she wasn’t going to wear her cotton briefs tonight. Then again, he was holding on to her plain, boring white bra. So much for sexy.

  Kenneth couldn’t believe he was standing at her door with her bra and T-shirt in a bag. It’d be so easy to knock, hand it to her and leave. Well, maybe not easy, but a lot less complicated than going out to dinner. But he’d promised her dinner, and one thing he didn’t do was break his word to someone.

  He pressed the doorbell and waited. The sound of a window opening on the floor above made him look up. Shanda was leaning out the window.

  “The door is open. Come on in. I’ll be down in a minute,” she said, then shut the window again.

  His jaw tensed at the thought of not just leaving the door open, but having him let himself in. He knew he wasn’t a danger, but she didn’t. What if he was some predator, or had a shady past and was here to do her harm? The houses weren’t close by in this town. Hell, her neighbor had a field filled with cows. Granted, she didn’t live in a city, and the crime rate was probably extremely low, but even a slight risk, was still a risk. Even as he turned the knob, he hoped she’d been wrong. Damn. It opened and he stepped inside, then closed and locked the door behind him.

  Once inside, he looked around. It looked nothing like his place. The walls were covered with photos. It was obvious Shanda was in many of them with what looked like an older sister and brother, who seemed to have joined the Marines. Pictures were hung on the wall, as well as on the mantle and coffee table. It was as though every event was a photo opportunity for them, from family picnics, to days at the park, on waterslides, hiking trails, and camping. The only common theme in the photos were the genuine smiles. It was what people envisioned when they thought of a normal family.

  Kenneth had five brothers, but their homes were just places where everything was staged. Even the photos were professional portraits. Everyone had been dressed in a suit and tie, standing stiff, shoulders square, head held high and proud. His mother always wore an elegant gown, with either diamonds or pearls around her neck that had been passed down generations. They weren’t frowning, but smiles weren’t there either. And when they were taken, it was anything but fun.

  That’s why he and Billy had been so close growing up. It was where Kenneth could go and be someone other than who he was expected to be. Fun had been allowed in that house. Billy’s parents didn’t flip out if you tracked mud inside after playing football in the back yard. It wasn’t that Billy’s parents didn’t have money; it was just they cared more about family than what they had in the bank.

  But if Billy wasn’t careful, his carefree life might land him in the same situation that Shanda was in, and his business, and home, could all be at risk. Kenneth would never put himself in that situation.

  “You could’ve sat down,” Shanda said from behind him.

  He turned around and whatever he was about to say was taken away with his breath. Damn Shanda. You look… “Beautiful,” he said softly. She was dressed in a tight black dress that accented her full breasts even more. With her hair pulled back her neck was exposed; he would rather skip dinner and move directly to dessert. Put it on ice. It can’t happen. It shouldn’t happen.

  Shanda said, “Yes they are. I love photos. They capture the joy and trigger wonderful memories,” she said.

  He hadn’t been talking about the pictures, but he was glad she thought so. Kenneth handed her the bag that held her items. “Sorry, I didn’t wash them.”

  She chuckled. “Yeah. I don’t think we are at the point of doing each other’s laundry.”

  Kenneth wasn’t even going to comment on that. Not only did he not do other people’s laundry, he didn’t do his own.

  “Looks like you’re ready. How about we head out?” Before I do something stupid like pull you into my arms and kiss you.

  “Did you have someplace picked out or would you like a local suggestion?” she asked.

  He had planned on driving down to Newport, but local was fine with him. It meant they could eat and he could be on his way back to Boston even sooner.

  “I’ll drive, you direct,” he said.

  It wasn’t very far, but the Cottage was actually a house with private dining inside. Not at all what he’d expected, and they were definitely overdressed, but the food was fantastic. Yet nothing compared to the company he was with. Shanda didn’t talk about herself like most women he dated. She spoke about the history of her town. About her grandfather and her parents, and even her sister DeeDee. It was as though she was bringing the photos he’d been looking at earlier to life. Through the stories, he was getting to see more of who she was. Shanda was exactly what he thought. She was strong, loving, and fun. But there was something that she didn’t talk about. Home Blown. It was the one place she was struggling and because of that, she was vulnerable.

  Kenneth could broach the subject, offer his help, and maybe she’d even save her shop. But what he needed to tell her wasn’t going to be easy or pleasant for her to hear. Success came with a price. He couldn’t tell if she was ready to accept that, or if she even wanted to do what it was going to take to make Home Blown all it could be.

  The last thing he wanted was to ruin the light mood she was in. Shanda was totally relaxed. Whether it was the topic or the glass of wine she drank with dinner, he liked it. If he didn’t know better, he’d actually think this was a date, and it wasn’t supposed to be one.

  As they pulled up in front of her home, Shanda said, “I can’t believe you let me talk so much.”

  “Maybe you caught it from Krissy last night,” he joked. Then he added, “But I’m glad you did. I enjoyed hearing all about Hope Valley.” And learning more about you. It made the connection, attraction, even stronger. He knew more about her now, than women he’d dated for months.

  “Next time we talk about you,” she said. Then quickly she added, “Not that I’m saying we’re going to see each other again. I mean… I didn’t want to…”

  “I’d like to see you again,” he stated. “Maybe one day this week I can stop by your shop and we can grab lunch.” Maybe during working hours it’d be a smoother transition into discussing her business. The look on her face said otherwise. And when she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, it confirmed it. This wasn’t going to get any easier.

  “Thank you for a lovely time.” Then she got out of the car so fast that he never even got a chance to say goodnight.

  He waited until she was inside, and hoped that she at least locked the door behind her. Kenneth could call her and remind her, but decided on a text instead.

  GOOD NIGHT AND DON’T FORGET TO LOCK YOUR DOORS. SEE YOU TOMORROW.

  No confirmation that she would. Just a simple response: GOOD NIGHT.

  Damn that woman was a challenge. He started his car and reluctantly drove away. Maybe tomorrow he would add safety to the list of things she needed to start taking seriously.

  When he pulled onto Route 95 North, he knew there was one last call he had to make. As soon as Billy answered, Kenneth said, “I
have a message for Krissy.”

  Billy asked, “What is that?”

  “I hear washing dishes is good for keeping hands soft.”

  “Hell yeah! Krissy!”

  Kenneth heard her in the background respond, “Yes hun?”

  “I’m throwing in the towel,” Billy said. “Kenneth is going to help Shanda. You lose.”

  Krissy laughed. “Not so fast, hun. Shanda wins, but if you recall, we agreed he’d meet her and wouldn’t be able to resist. But he did resist. Just because he changed his mind now, doesn’t get you off the hook.”

  “Damn it. Kenneth, your timing sucks, do you know that?” Billy asked.

  “Guess that’s what you get for messing with my personal life. Don’t let those hands get too soft,” he laughed as he ended the call. He probably shouldn’t enjoy his friends being so miserable, but it was the icing on the cake.

  Krissy was right about something. Given enough time with Shanda, he really could help her. All he had to do was resist making this any more personal than it already was. That was going to be harder than saving her company.

  Chapter Four

  “I stopped by the shop before I went to work and you weren’t there. Everything okay?” DeeDee asked.

  “Of course it is. And I was there.”

  “Not at eight,” she stated.

  “Home Blown opens at ten,” Shanda reminded her.

  DeeDee chuckled. “I wasn’t sure you knew that, because you practically live there. I take it the date went…well last night?”

  Shanda huffed. “Is that why you came to the shop? Just so you could pump me for details?”

  “Absolutely!”

  “There really isn’t anything to share,” she responded. In a way, that was true. It wasn’t as though she’d brought him home with her and he’d rocked her world. If he had, I wouldn’t open the shop at all today.

  “Then why so late of a start today?” DeeDee asked.

  “I didn’t sleep very well last night.” She had tossed and turned over kissing him on the cheek. It was something a teenager would’ve done, and even now, she felt foolish. That’s what she got for holding back and not being more…forward. Granted, she didn’t want to have sex with him. She barely knew him. Hopefully that was going to change today at lunch.

  “Lack of sleep is a good sign,” DeeDee teased. “You wouldn’t believe how many sleepless nights I’ve had since I’ve been with Larry.”

  “I really don’t want any details DeeDee,” she said.

  “Ha. You couldn’t handle them,” she laughed. “But I don’t want to talk about me. I want to talk about your date. Since I couldn’t meet up with you for breakfast, how about I swing by and we do lunch?”

  “I can’t today,” Shanda said.

  “You’re the owner. You can close for an hour to have lunch with your favorite sister.”

  “I’m your only sister. Which is all the more reason why you should have lunch with me,” DeeDee stated firmly.

  “DeeDee, I really can’t. I…I have plans already.”

  “You mean…a date?” she asked.

  “I mean lunch. And yesterday was just dinner,” she corrected.

  “Did you wear the dress I told you to?”

  “No, I didn’t.” Red, low-cut said, ‘Take me home and do me.’ That didn’t mean she wouldn’t use it later on him. Ha. Let’s see if he even shows up for lunch.

  “Too bad. Maybe you’d be in a better mood if you had,” DeeDee laughed. “So does this stranger have a name?”

  “Kenneth Heart,” she said.

  “Where is he from?”

  “Boston,” Shanda said. “And why all the questions?”

  “Because you’re my kid sister and that is what big sisters do. And for the record, I believe you were the one who gave me all the grief about Larry when we were first dating. You were even worse than mom.”

  “That is an exaggeration and you know it. I only asked basic questions, like—”

  “Like I’m doing. I’m glad you met someone. I just want to make sure he’s good enough for you,” she said.

  If Krissy and Billy’s house was any indication as to the kind of money Kenneth had, he was out of her league. Since they weren’t dating, it didn’t matter. “I tell you what, if I think we are going to get serious, then I will worry about it. Right now, all we are doing is talking.”

  “And talking kept you up all night? Somehow I think there is something to tell but you don’t want to give it up,” she said, prying again.

  “Okay. I kissed him. Well not really. It was only on the cheek.”

  “Oh. Well guess it is a good thing you didn’t wear that red dress. It might have made you go batshit crazy and actually kiss him on the lips.”

  “You know, I have other things to do besides listen to this,” she snapped. She wasn’t really angry at DeeDee, as much as she was embarrassed already.

  “Like get ready for your lunch with Kenneth? I expect to receive a call tonight and hear how it went. If I don’t, then I might just have to come knocking on your door,” DeeDee warned.

  “I promise. Until then, you can talk to Mom about your wedding plans. Unless you’re avoiding that?” Like I’m doing with you.

  “Trust me, there is no hiding from Mom. She called this morning at five. I wasn’t even out of bed.”

  “What did she want?”

  “To talk about wedding cakes and flowers and…I don’t know. It was five. I’m lucky I knew my name at that god-awful hour. You know I’m not a morning person,” DeeDee said.

  “That explains why you went to the shop so early. You had nothing better to do,” Shanda said. “Sorry I wasn’t there. You could’ve called or stopped in at my house if you needed to talk.” She could tell the moment she’d answered the phone that something was troubling DeeDee. She hoped she and Larry weren’t having problems already. She heard sometimes marriage changes things. And it must add stress trying to keep it a secret.

  “Shanda, I am not sure I can do this,” she said, her voice shaky.

  This wasn’t like DeeDee. She was upbeat and happy all the time. Right now, she sounded like she was about to burst into tears. “Do you mean the wedding? I mean the second one?”

  “Yes,” she choked.

  Shanda said, “I’ll cancel my plans. Let’s do lunch.”

  “No! I…I will be…okay. It’s just…I hate…”

  “Lying to Mom?”

  “Yes. But I…I don’t want her to…to blame Larry for us eloping. It…it was…my idea,” she sobbed.

  “DeeDee, you can’t have a wedding just because of Mom and Dad. They wouldn’t want you to, either.”

  “You say that, but you know Mom has been waiting to plan a wedding since we were little girls. I can’t take that away from her,” she sobbed even harder. “How can I be happy about being married to Larry when I’m so…miserable about hurting Mom?”

  “I’ll let her plan mine. I promise. And then finally I can be the favorite daughter,” she joked, trying to brighten her sister’s spirit.

  It didn’t work. DeeDee broke down even more. “See? You know it’s true. Mom won’t forgive me. I…I have to do this.”

  “No you don’t. If you want, I’ll tell her.”

  “God no. That is even worse.”

  “DeeDee, you’re unhappy. No matter what you think, Mom and Dad wouldn’t want that. Please, trust me. Tell them the truth. If you want, I’ll even go with you.” Shanda knew no matter what, her parents would be hurt, but they wouldn’t show that in front of DeeDee.

  “Maybe you and Kenneth and me and Larry could over there this weekend and break the news to them.”

  That wasn’t going to happen. The last thing she wanted was to bring Kenneth into family drama. “This weekend sounds good.” The door to the shop opened and Kenneth walked in. She raised her finger letting him know she just needed to finish this. He nodded and began looking around the shop. She didn’t even bother to hope he’d buy anything. This wasn’t his styl
e. But right now, she needed to be there for her sister. “What day? Saturday or Sunday?”

  “How about Friday night? I want to get this over with. Larry does too.”

  “DeeDee, I’ll be there. You just tell me when.” I’ll always be there for you. Like you’ve always been there for me.

  “Thanks sis. Hey, it’s almost lunch time. Has that guy of yours shown up yet?”

  “Just arrived,” she replied.

  “Then what the hell are you doing talking to me? Go and have fun. Who knows, maybe you can get engaged by this weekend and take the heat off me,” DeeDee teased.

  “And maybe hell is going to freeze over too. Love you DeeDee. I’ll talk to you tonight,” she said.

  “Love you too. Bye for now.”

  When she put down the phone, Kenneth walked over and asked, “Is it a bad time for lunch?”

  “No. Not at all. My sister just needed to bounce something off me. You said you have siblings, right?”

  “Five brothers.”

  “So you know what it’s like when one needs advice.”

  “Not really. We’re close, but talk mostly about business decisions, not our personal lives,” he said.

  “That’s really…sad.” Even though DeeDee could get on her nerves sometimes, she couldn’t picture not having her around to lean on. And the nice thing was, DeeDee leaned on her too. “I guess my sister and I are more like friends. Kind of like you and Billy.”

  “I could tell from the pictures all over your living room that you two were close.”

  “Hopefully after this weekend we still will be. I gave her some advice that I hope was correct. If not, well…”

  “Shanda, your sister is a grown woman who is responsible for her own decisions. You can give advice, but it is her choice to follow it or not,” Kenneth said in a serious tone.

  She stared at him and then replied, “Spoken like a person who probably doesn’t ever take advice. Am I right?”

  He chuckled. “You’re not wrong. Would you like to continue this conversation at lunch, or would you rather reschedule?”

  “Lunch sounds great, but last night you promised we could talk about you today.”