Sweet Escape at Bayside (Sweet with Heat Page 7

  “You said it twice,” he reminded her. “Once last night and again just now. You said, ‘That’s how much I love you.’ Love, not loved.”

  She swallowed hard, looking so soft and vulnerable he wanted to protect her. “We never fought when we were together. I don’t know if this is some sort of sign that we need to walk away from each other, or if it’s years of hurt and anger that needed to be expunged. I don’t freaking care which it is. I’m not walking away, because you, Violet Vancroft, own my heart, and like it or not, I think I own yours, too.”

  Violet looked over at Justin heading their way and sighed, taking a step back.

  Andre met Justin’s steady gaze and bit back the jealousy tearing through him. He lifted his chin in greeting, earning a curt nod in return.

  Justin hiked a thumb over his shoulder and said, “Sorry to interrupt, but um…we’re not a secret anymore, babe. Y’all are pretty loud.”

  “Man,” Andre muttered. “Sorry, Vi.” He drew his shoulders back and thrust a hand toward Justin. “Andre Shaw.”

  Justin shook his hand. “Justin Wicked.”

  TENSION ARCED BETWEEN the two men as they sized each other up. Justin had never come to see Violet at the inn, and she had no idea why he’d chosen today of all days to show up. But she had enough to deal with.

  She stepped between the badboy biker and the possessive man who was an enticing mix of artist and physician and put her hands up. “Stop the chest-pounding, okay?”

  Neither one moved.

  “Cut it out, okay? What the heck?”

  Andre and Justin both cleared their throats and then they muttered something under their breath.

  “The Real Housewives of Wellfleet are gossiping a blue streak,” Justin said. “Once Dean and the guys realized Violet was okay, they took off.” He eyed Andre, though he was talking to Violet as he said, “You’re okay, right?”

  “Yes,” she said sharply. “Fine.”

  A delivery truck pulled up the driveway, and Andre said, “That’s my stuff.” Touching her hip in an obviously claim-staking way, he said, “Let’s catch up later.” He nodded at Justin, who did the same.

  The second Andre stepped away, Justin stepped closer.

  She held up her hand, watching Andre walk away, and said, “Give me a second to breathe.”

  “So that’s the dude you told me and Dixie about?”

  “Yeah.” She looked at Justin and said, “The one I screwed over. I’m such a witch, Justin.”

  Justin put his arms around her, squeezing her tight. “You’re not a witch. You’re just not used to letting someone love you.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead and stepped back.

  “What kind of loser does that make me?”

  “Only the best kind.” He winked and said, “You’re darn lucky to have friends like the ones you’ve got here.” He eyed Andre, talking with the delivery guy as they unloaded boxes. “The guys were all up in arms about you and Andre.”

  “It’s not their crap to deal with. I already told you he’s a good guy.”

  “I was telling them that when you started arguing. Then you said it all for them to hear. Sorry if our baggage got in your way with him.”

  She shook her head. “It didn’t. I mean, I’m sure he hates that we messed around, but all that anger you heard is because of me. If I weren’t so screwed up, I could have said goodbye to him like a normal person. Who knows what would have happened.”

  “If you were like everyone else, we never would have connected. You’re the coolest chick I know, and I wouldn’t change a thing about you.” He nodded toward Andre and said, “I heard everything he told you, and I gotta say, the dude’s hurting. But it didn’t sound like he wants, or needs, you to change. It sounds to me like he just wants and needs you, Vi. Period.” He dug his keys from his pocket and said, “You sure you’re going to be okay?”

  “Aren’t I always?”

  “Yeah. I’m around if you need me.” He arched a brow and said, “Six-pack Jack, huh?”

  She laughed. “Maybe that’ll get you a date with Chloe.”

  “Oh no…If Dixie has her way, I’ll be taking a trip to Maryland to hook up with one of her friends who works for her family’s bar. I’ll see you later.”

  She held her breath as Justin approached Andre, exhaling when he extended his hand with a hint of a smile. She’d never expected to see Andre again, and seeing him with Justin, the only person to whom she’d ever confessed her feelings for Andre, did all sorts of uncomfortable things to her. She wanted to protect Andre from Justin’s big-brother-like leers, even though she knew Andre didn’t need protecting from anyone. And she wanted to protect Justin from Andre’s need to show his dominance. But she wouldn’t do that either. She knew them both well enough to realize they needed to do those things as much as she needed to go deal with the gossip girls.

  She couldn’t hear what the men were saying, but when they both looked over at her with serious expressions, she headed for the girls to deal with the fallout from her past.

  As she came through the gate, the girls jumped up from their seats and surrounded her—like a cavalry, not a gossiping brood of hens, as she’d expected.

  “Are you okay?” Desiree asked, putting her arm around Violet’s shoulder.

  Emery pushed in closer. “That was intense. I thought you were going to fall apart, and that was terrifying.”

  “They love you, Vi,” Serena said. “Both of them. In different ways, obviously, but, girl, you have been keeping secrets from us. What’s up with that?”

  “I didn’t mean to hit on your man! Please don’t kill me,” Chloe pleaded.

  Violet threw her arms up and out, breaking free from their grasps. “I’m fine. I’m not falling apart, and I’m not going to kill Chloe.”

  “Thank goodness.” Chloe slapped a hand over her heart.

  “So, did you know he was coming here?” Emery asked.

  “The queen of dirty deeds has a lot of explaining to do,” Serena said. “You were all over us about our love lives. Time for some payback. You had two dudes wanting to protect you. I was waiting for a brawl.”

  “Or a threesome,” Emery said with a laugh.

  Violet glowered. “You’re not getting any more details about my sex life, so dream on. And no, I didn’t know Andre was coming here, and he had no idea I was here, either.” She explained what she’d already told Desiree about Ghana and Andre’s arrival on the Cape.

  “Lizza sure knows how to stir the pot,” Emery said. “And we all thought you were in Bali.”

  Violet rolled her eyes. “That’s because y’all gossip and get things all twisted up. I told Desiree I was moving my life back to Bali. That doesn’t mean it’s where I was before I came here. I means it’s where I would have gone if I’d left instead of staying here.”

  “Well, now that he’s had his say, he’d better be done yelling at you. Or he’ll have us to deal with,” Emery insisted.

  As the others jumped on the protect-Violet bandwagon, she wondered how they didn’t know they were already there. They were her saving graces, but she owed her sanity to Desiree most of all.

  She took Desiree’s hand and guided her a few feet away from the others. Gazing into her sister’s worried eyes, she said, “I’m okay. Really, Des.”

  “I wanted to go to you, but Rick wouldn’t let me. He said it was better to let you hash it out. I’ve never seen you like that. You looked like you wanted to cry, run away, and hit something all at the same time.”

  Violet smiled. “It turns out you do know me pretty well. Rick was right, but yesterday I was wrong. When you came up to the studio to talk to me, I took out my frustrations on you. I’m sorry. The truth is, I couldn’t have found my footing after I left Andre if it weren’t for you.”

  “You also wouldn’t have left him if it weren’t for Lizza using me as an excuse.”

  Violet lowered her eyes and said, “I would have, eventually.” She looked up again and said, “I couldn’t have gone to Bo
ston and survived the life he used to live. I would have lost my mind and he would have regretted ever knowing me.”

  “I don’t think that’s true. No matter what you might have faced there, you would have made it work. You made it work here with me, and you stayed when you weren’t sure you could. That’s love.” Desiree opened her arms and said, “I’m going to hug you, and I might tear up, so just go with it.” As she embraced Violet she said, “How come you didn’t even flinch when Justin hugged you?”

  Violet groaned. “Don’t start. I have no idea why I do anything.”

  “So, Emery,” she heard Chloe say, “just how long is Justin’s you-know-what?”

  And just like that, Violet knew things would go back to normal, at least around the inn. She had yet to figure out what normal meant where she and Andre—and the people they had become—were concerned.

  Chapter Six

  ANDRE STOOD IN front of the gallery where Violet had been working for most of the afternoon. From the outside it looked like the other three cottages on the property of the inn, except it had a hand-painted sign above the door that read, DEVI’S DISCOVERIES, surrounded by snaking vines boasting orange and purple flowers. His mind traveled back to what it had been like working at the clinic overseas. Violet had been in and out of the facility, visiting with children and dropping off little clay and cloth animals she’d made for them. He couldn’t imagine her being happy working in a gallery and not surrounded by children who needed her, or so lost in concentration while doing her artwork that nothing else existed.

  The late-afternoon sun cast shadows across the driveway, the tips of which touched the gardens Desiree was weeding. She looked cute with her blond hair pinned up in a ponytail, her jeans tucked into bright green rubber boots, and a Summer House Inn sweatshirt that hung past her waist. He’d noticed her keeping an eye on him, and he wondered when she and Rick were leaving for their honeymoon. Lizza had told him she was leaving so Desiree wouldn’t feel the need to stick around, but clearly Desiree still did.

  She glanced over, catching him watching her. “Are you going in, or just checking out the architecture of the cottages?”

  “I’ll let you know when I figure it out.” He smiled and crossed the driveway to her. “I’m sorry about making a scene this morning.”

  Desiree stood up and smiled. “We’re used to scenes around here, just not scenes involving Violet. She usually keeps her private life to herself.”

  “Like I said, I’m sorry.”

  She wiped her hands and said, “It’s okay. We couldn’t help but overhear you guys. I think I learned more about my sister during your argument than I have the whole time we’ve lived here.” She stole a glance at the gallery. “She’s so mysterious. I don’t know where she goes or what she does most of time. None of us knew about her and Justin, and I’m the only one who knew she had a boyfriend she’d broken up with before coming here. Or rather, left behind—sorry. I hate that she did that to you, but I know Vi well enough to realize she never meant to hurt you. But I’m wondering…” She fidgeted with the basket and finally said, “Was she always tough as nails when you guys were together?”

  He couldn’t stop the smile tugging at his lips. “She was tough as nails and soft as silk. I don’t think there’s another woman like Violet on this earth. I know she’s mysterious to most people, but she’s also an open book. You just have to know how to read between the lines, and that’s never easy.”

  Desiree’s brow wrinkled. “I was a teacher, and reading between her lines is totally out of my bailiwick. But there’s one thing I do know about her. Even though she acts like she doesn’t care, she really does. She’s the reason I stayed on the Cape when Lizza left us holding the mortgage to the inn. And when she first met Rick? Even though she barely knew me, she was suddenly my protector.” She laughed softly and said, “You should have seen her stand up to him. She’s pretty amazing. When Rick was going to propose, Violet got in touch with Emery and Lizza and arranged for them to be there as a surprise for me. Things with Lizza are complicated, but Violet knew how much having her there would mean.”

  “She’s got a big heart behind those steely gates,” he said. “I don’t know if Lizza knew what she was doing or not when she brought me here. But I hated seeing Violet so upset.”

  “We never know what’s behind the things Lizza does,” Desiree said. “And trust me, nobody likes seeing Violet upset. She’s important to all of us. The thing about my sister is that she sees what other people need in their relationships, and she pushes them toward it. But she doesn’t seem to have that same vision for herself.”

  “Maybe because what she needs isn’t typical.” How could it be with the way she was raised? He had a feeling Violet knew what she wanted and what she needed, but not only didn’t she trust people to give her those things; she also didn’t seem to know how to put herself, her needs, her desires, first. “Are you worried about her?”

  “Of course. She’s my sister.”

  “I don’t know what she’s told you about us, but what you heard from me this morning is true. I’m still in love with her, and I know we have a lot to work through, but the argument you heard was fueled by hurt and love, not hatred. So if you and Rick are sticking around instead of going on your honeymoon because you want to make sure she’s okay, you should know that Violet’s well-being is my concern, too.”

  Desiree sighed and glanced at the gallery again. “She’ll pull away from you even if she doesn’t want to.”

  “I know that now,” he said.

  “She’ll make you feel ridiculous for worrying about her, and she’ll—”

  He put a hand on her shoulder, silencing her concerns, and said, “I know. We all have baggage, and I’m not here to kick hers around. I’m here to help her carry it.”

  Desiree threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tight as she choked out, “Thank you. She deserves to be cherished.” She drew back and said, “But don’t tell her that—”

  “Or she’ll run the other way. I know. I’ve got her, Desiree.” He waved to Rick, who was walking across the grass from the resort next door with Cosmos trotting happily beside him. “Looks like someone’s ready to have you all to himself. Go enjoy your honeymoon so your mother knows she left for a good reason.”

  As Rick came to Desiree’s side Cosmos tried to climb her legs. She scooped him up and he immediately started licking her face.

  “What does our honeymoon have to do with why Lizza left?” Desiree asked. “She said she was leaving so you and Violet could finally find the answers you’ve been searching for.”

  He must have looked as confused as he felt, because Rick said, “Looks like Lizza’s up to her old tricks again. Her matchmaking worked for us. Maybe you’ll get lucky, too.” He kissed Desiree’s cheek and said, “I think we can leave soon, sweet girl. Daphne said she thinks her sister might be able to help Violet with the gallery since Harper isn’t coming back until filming wraps up on her project in three or four weeks.”

  “Didn’t I tell you? This morning Violet and I decided to close the gallery while we’re away. She said she wanted to spend time building up her inventory. We had a huge summer, and we don’t need the cash…” Desiree smiled at Andre and said, “Besides, I think we all know it’s not inventory she wants to give her attention to.” She laced her hand with Rick’s and said, “Let’s leave tomorrow morning. I’ll call the Monroe House and see if they have space for us to arrive early, and if not, we can find a B and B along the way.”

  As they discussed their travel plans, Andre went to see Violet. He stepped inside the gallery, taking in the knotty-pine floors, yellow walls, and exposed rafters, both of which were painted bright yellow. Beautiful paintings with Desiree’s signature in the corner hung on the walls. He wondered why Violet had never mentioned her sister was such a talented artist. Interspersed with the paintings were batik wall hangings in varying sizes, pottery plaques, clay planters, and a plethora of other items. Each item was different, wit
h beautiful earth-toned glazes and Violet’s signature designs of trees and bushes, waves, and other natural elements. Tables covered in vibrant batiks held hand-painted cards, shells, and decorated driftwood. More of her pottery filled shelves and a bookcase. His eyes caught on several tiny clay animals, like the ones she’d made for the children at the clinic, and his heart warmed. He picked up one of the animals and wasn’t surprised that Violet hadn’t signed her name anywhere on it. She’d once told him that she didn’t create so others would give her recognition. Every piece of art is different, as are the emotions it evokes. I’m not part of the equation.

  Except she was. He knew how much of herself she put into every piece of art she crafted. As he admired her handiwork, he remembered standing behind her while he taught her to sculpt the human form. He could still feel her hands beneath his, her back against his chest, as they molded the clay, falling in love one touch at a time.

  A door in the back of the gallery opened, and Violet walked through, wearing exactly what she’d had on this morning—a black boatneck tank top and snug jeans that had ragged tears on one thigh and just below the opposite knee—but as she closed the door behind her, she looked completely different. Gone was the scornful, troubled look in her eyes, replaced with the challenging look he knew well. It was the look she’d hidden behind for the first week they’d known each other. The look he knew others translated to, Don’t even try to mess with me. But he’d become adept at reading between Violet’s lines, and her message came across loud and clear—I’ve been hurt enough. Let me remain invisible and we’ll get along just fine.

  He’d never been good at following orders. And he knew she didn’t really want to be left alone. At least not by him.

  “I see you’re still not signing your pieces,” he said as he set the animal down and went to her.

  “I doubt that will ever change.” She crossed her arms, watching him approach.

  “I had a nice talk with Desiree and Rick just now. I’m wondering, what did Lizza tell you about why she left early?”