Should've Said No (27 page)

The crowd hushed and turned Lindsey’s way. Her stomach clenched as so many gazes settled on her. Heat rose in her face and she prayed that her neck wasn’t getting blotchy.

“Good evening and welcome,” she said, surprised at the way her voice resonated into the high, exposed-beam ceilings. “I’m Lindsey Simms, proud curator of the Thistle Bend Mountain Heritage Museum.”

The crowd applauded.

Lindsey nodded. “Thank you.” She scanned the crowd, caught sight of Carden, and quickly looked away. “I want to recognize the extraordinary efforts of the board of directors, volunteers, staff, and donors who helped make the vision for this wonderful museum a reality. I’m pleased that you’re here tonight, and I look forward to you visiting often. Thank you for entrusting me with this challenging and fulfilling opportunity.” Lindsey lifted her glass of champagne. “Here’s to a rich past, and a happy and prosperous future.”

Holly gave her a thumbs-up as she stepped off the platform to the sound of cheers and applause. Lindsey swiped her hand across her forehead and smiled.

The party went on for at least an hour more, most of it a blur for Lindsey, who graciously accepted congratulations. After the caterers stopped serving champagne, and the guitarist quit playing, people began to leave. Lindsey headed to her tiny office to put a little lip gloss on her dry lips. When she returned, the museum was nearly empty. She’d told her staff to head home, take tomorrow off, and relax. They’d worked so hard all these months, preparing for tonight.

A few of the catering staff lingered, collecting dishes and packing them away.

Lindsey stepped in front of the model town and railroad, the train engines quiet after chugging all evening. She never got tired of studying the little town, finding something new every time she looked. Sweeping her gaze down Larkspur Avenue, she set it on the miniature gas station/hardware store. Noticing that something had changed, she leaned in closer. Sitting on a bench outside of the store was a tiny figure—a girl with green eyes and long blond hair.

Her heart pitched.

I might have to make a miniature Lindsey and put her in front of the museum.

Carden.

A man reached from behind her, slipped a quarter into the slot, and it clattered into the metal box. The little train came to life and started its trek around the tracks, whistle blowing.

He rested his hand on Lindsey’s bare shoulder, and her breath hitched. She knew it was Carden simply from his strong, raspy touch.

“You added a miniature Lindsey,” she said.

“Thought I’d class up the place.” His voice wrapped around her like his arms once had. She could see his lazy grin without looking.

He stepped next to her, dropping his hand from her shoulder and skimming his fingers across her back. She ached from missing his touch.

“You did an incredible job with this place,” he said. “I love how you presented the picture of Ruby Eileen, and the whole sad story of her and Brooks Karlsson.”

So he thought their story was sad, too.

“They didn’t have a choice,” she said, quoting Merri.

He took her hand, laced his fingers with hers, leaned in, and whispered, “But we do.”

Lindsey locked her gaze on his.

“We can’t change what’s already happened,” he said. “But we can forgive each other and move forward.”

She could hardly believe he was here, saying these things to her.

He swept his fingers beneath her chin. “I don’t want to live my life without the woman I love. And I don’t want to regret that I never told her.”

Lindsey’s pulse thrummed in her ears. “You love me?” she whispered.

He kissed her gently. “Yes.”

Lindsey went light-headed from the emotional rush. “But all this time—”

“I’ve loved you. Missed you. Needed you. Wanted you.” He shook his head. “I can’t do it anymore.”

“It’s been so awful. Every day I wake up and realize you’re not there.” She pressed her hand over her heart. It beat wildly beneath her palm. “And I think, how can it hurt so much to love someone?”

He wrapped her in his arms and pulled her to him, pressing her head against his chest. “God, I never meant to hurt you.” He kissed the top of her head.

They stood like that until the model train stopped, Lindsey wondering if it was just a dream. He released her and reached into the pocket of his jacket. “I have a little donation to the museum that I hope you’ll accept.”

Between his fingers, he held a tiny figure—a dark-haired, blue-eyed man wearing jeans and a green shirt, posed in a sitting position.

Lindsey covered her mouth with her fingers. “A miniature Carden?”

He grinned and nestled the figure into her palm. He lifted the large Plexiglas cover off the model town and braced it open. Lindsey handed him the figure and he placed it next to the blond girl on the bench in front of the gas station/hardware store. He replaced the cover and they checked out his handiwork.

“Perfect.” She smiled freely for what felt like the first time in months.

The caterers had cleared out; they were the last two left in the museum.

“Looks like it’s time to call it a night.” Carden pulled her close and kissed her—sweet and sexy and full of promises. “Come on, baby. Let me take you home.”

Chapter 27

Carden woke up to a tangle of blond hair tickling his nose, the fresh scent of lemon and neroli stirring his senses.

Lindsey.

His heart soared. They were nestled in her bed and she slept with her back to him, his arm draped over her, keeping her close. After their passionate reunion following the museum’s grand opening, he’d slept hard, emotionally exhausted from all the months of longing for her. She’d matched the fire and desire that had built up inside of him, giving herself to him without inhibition. His release had left him spent. It was the first night he’d slept all the way through since the one he’d spent with her in Denver.

Carden hated to move. Hated to wake her for fear this was only a fantasy. There were no more secrets between them, and no reason to hide their relationship from anyone. Wouldn’t his family be thrilled that he’d finally found love? And Milly and Merri. Looking back, he could see that those little women had been determined from the start to get him and Lindsey together. The only thing ahead of him and Lindsey was an amazing future. He wanted to give her the world. To love her with everything he had.

But he hadn’t spent time with her for months. Would she still be the same sunny Lindsey he remembered? Always looking on the bright side, quick to smile and eager to laugh? Carden couldn’t imagine that she’d changed. He’d seen the way she interacted with people at the museum opening last night. How sweet and attentive she was to everyone. She’d become one of Thistle Bend’s sweethearts as she’d brought their museum to life, exceeding their expectations.

Now she’s mine.

Lindsey stirred, and Carden’s pulse ticked at a faster clip. After a moment, she turned over and faced him, her sleepy eyes glimmering.

“Mornin’, darlin’,” he said, gently sweeping her hair away from her face.

She smiled, her eyes glimmering even brighter. “Best. Morning. Ever.” She kissed him lightly. Just the whisk of her lips had him tempted to pick things up where they’d left off last night. “After the best night ever.” She skimmed her fingers over his bare shoulder and along the outline of his tattoo.

“There are more where that came from.” Carden gave her a lazy smile, drew in a deep breath, and exhaled. There’d be no walk of shame this morning—or ever, if he had anything to say about it.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” she said quietly.

He kissed her forehead. “Believe it.”

“It’s like an early birthday present.”

“When’s your birthday?” Carden didn’t need a reason to spoil her, but he’d like to make her birthday special.

“Next Saturday.” Her stomach growled and she flattened her hand over it, pressing the sheet against her. “Man, I’m starving. Yesterday was so crazy, I barely ate anything. Want me to make us some breakfast?”

Carden took her hand and kissed it. “Nope.”

She bunched her lips, eyebrows low.

“I want to take you out for breakfast,” he said.

Lindsey covered her mouth with her hand, but she couldn’t hide her smile. “We can go out in public together now.” Her words were muffled, but her excitement came through loud and clear.

“No more secrets.”

She winced. “I didn’t want to hide things from you,” she said. “I—”

He pressed his fingers to her lips. “Shh…We both did things we regret.”

“Like not eating yesterday.” She winked, seeming to get the message that the past was truly behind them. “Let me take a quick shower and we’ll go get some breakfast.”

Carden twisted a lock of her hair around his fingers. “Hmm…”

She lowered her eyebrows. “Hmm, what?”

“I could use a shower myself.” He pulled her close and kissed her, tucking his hand beneath the sheet and smoothing it down the satiny curve of her hip. “We’d get to breakfast a lot quicker if we took one together.”

—

Lindsey rode shotgun in Carden’s pickup, wondering if things could get any better. He’d promised her one of his specialty steaks for her birthday dinner, and a few of Henrietta’s delicious side dishes with homemade bread. Clearly she was hoping for a night similar to the one they’d had last summer—her first night in his bed.

They’d agreed to dress a little fancier—to light candles and slow dance to country music ballads. Lindsey glanced at him shyly, still amazed every time she looked at him that he was in love with her.

“You look unbearably hot,” she said. He was rocking his outfit—a bright blue shirt, black jeans, and a black sport jacket with a thread of blue in its muted plaid pattern.

“Unbearably?” He grinned.

“Irresistibly.”

He lifted his scruffy chin, and gave her a flirty smile. “Mission accomplished.”

Lindsey shook her head and smoothed her hand over her gauzy mint green dress that laced up the front. Holly had picked it out for her when they’d gone shopping in Carbondale, and Lindsey immediately loved it. She’d paired it with some stylish Western boots, and left her hair long and loose.

Carden’s house looked like something out of a fairy tale in the snowy landscape, alight in the dark, snowflakes falling. Lights glimmered inside and out, and smoke rose from the chimney.

“You’re looking smokin’ hot yourself, birthday girl.”

Lindsey looked at him coquettishly. “Mission accomplished.”

Carden aimed a lazy, sexy smile her way, pulled the truck into the garage, and got out. He made his way to the passenger side, opened the door for Lindsey, and offered her his hand.

“Thank you, kind sir,” she said as she stepped out of the truck.

He dipped his chin.

“Where’s Blue?” Lindsey asked.

“Enjoying a play date with the other dogs in the kennel.”

“Aw,” she said. “I was hoping to share my cupcake with him.”

“We’re having cupcakes?” Carden winked. He led her up the steps, and into the house.

The smell of delicious food filled the air, along with a tinge of wood smoke. Instrumental music played low. Carden led her down the wide hallway, his hand lightly at her back.

Lindsey couldn’t get enough of his touch—no matter when, no matter where. “I hope—”

“Surprise!” A chorus of voices called out.

Lindsey’s heart sprang into her throat. She flattened her hand against her chest as she scanned the happy faces.

Milly and Merri.

Travis and Emily.

Holly, Fred, and Dean.

Darlene.

Even Stella and Tansy and Oscar. And a middle-aged couple Lindsey didn’t recognize.

“You guys…” Lindsey cut a look at Carden.

“Happy birthday,” he said, and everyone applauded. “There are some special people here I’d like you to meet.” He led Lindsey over to the middle-aged man and woman. The man was tall, slim, and handsome, with brown hair going gray. He had his arm around a strikingly beautiful dark-haired woman with blue eyes. “Mom, Dad,” Carden said, “this is Lindsey.”

Lindsey’s heart hammered. She’d been prepared for a quiet night with Carden and now she was meeting his parents. Thank goodness she’d worn something decent.

The woman took Lindsey’s hand between both of hers. “We’re so happy to meet you. I’m Karen, and this is Charles.” She nodded toward her husband. “We’ve heard so much about you from Stella and Carden.”

Lindsey wouldn’t dare ask what. Carden pressed his hand more closely against her back, and cut her a mischievous look, complete with raised eyebrows.

“You did a very impressive job with the museum,” Charles said. “We toured it today.”

“Thank you,” Lindsey said. “That means a lot.”

“I think you might’ve missed some folks.” Carden clutched Lindsey’s shoulder and turned her around to see more happy faces.

“Mom! Dad! Grandma!” Lindsey’s mouth dropped open and she covered it with her hand as they gathered her in for a group hug. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“We’ve missed you, too,” her mom said.

They released her after a long moment, and Becca stepped out from behind them.

“Becca—no way!” Lindsey drew her in for a tight hug, tears welling in her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me, too.” Becca smiled.

Lindsey caught Carden’s loving gaze.

“Happy birthday,” he said.

Beaming, Lindsey swiped a tear from beneath her eye. “I don’t guess I need to introduce you.”

“Not hardly,” her dad said. “We’ve gotten to know Carden pretty well while we’ve been planning all this.”

Lindsey’s grandma kissed her cheek, and glanced at Carden. “Got yourself a sexy cowboy there.” She winked.

“Grandma,” Lindsey said incredulously, but it was all in good fun.

While Lindsey and Carden greeted everyone, Henrietta and a few hired helpers made the rounds, passing hors d’oeuvres and serving flutes of champagne for a birthday toast. The atmosphere was warm and festive and simply perfect.

“This is the best birthday present I’ve ever gotten,” Lindsey said to Carden.