Chapter 11

There wasa rhythm to Laurel Valley. And as the last dregs of summer held on as tightly as the leaves clinging to the trees, Zoe found she'd become an integral part of the local fabric. The only problem was she was now expected to join the O'Haras in their massive Sunday lunches after church.

She'd been using her deadline as an excuse not to come for weeks. But now that she'd made her deadline and the book was turned in she couldn't think of another reason not to be there. Though she was thinking of starting another project just so she could avoid the experience. A room full of O'Haras all at one time was intimidating to say the least. Especially since in a small group or on an individual basis they weren't at all subtle about their probing into her and Colt's relationship.

She shuffled into the kitchen to start the coffee and did her stretches as the sun turned the sky a pinkish hue. She put on a pair of old sweats since the mornings had become chilly and put on her old sneakers. And then she blew out a sigh at the challenge that lay snoring before her.

"Get up, Chewy," she said, lifting the side of his bed to wake him up.

He growled in response just like he did every morning. It turned out Chewy was not a morning person.

"Lord, you're heavy," she said, panting. "Do we have to do this every morning? Get. Up."

He growled once more, but rolled out of his bed like a limp mop and then padded toward the door.

She'd learned a leash was necessary for their morning walks around the lake. The first morning they'd ridden down in the elevator together and as soon as she'd gotten on the trail Chewy had hightailed it back to the condo, ridden the elevator back up to the top floor, and had been asleep on the doormat when she'd gotten back home.

Then the second morning she thought he was going to ram her into another lamppost because his hurry to get done with their walk and back to sleep turned her leisurely walk into an all-out sprint.

But by the third morning they'd found a compromise. She promised him if he'd get out of bed and get his morning exercise that she'd give him half her bagel when they returned. So far the deal had worked.

And somehow Colt had ended up becoming a part of their morning routine. She hadn't really given it much thought as to how he'd gotten his fine physique, but he started his mornings by running three miles around the lake. Then he went to the gym and worked out before he showered and got ready for his first patients of the day.

Since she would only run if someone was chasing her, Colt would lap her a couple of times and then walk the rest of the way back to the condo with them. He'd pat Chewy on the head, give her a brotherly squeeze on the shoulder, and then head off to start his day.

He was driving her crazy.

And it was no fault of his own. He'd done exactly what he said he was going to do. He was just…there. He'd slowly worked his way into her life as if he'd always been there, and now she couldn't think of a time when he hadn't been. They texted throughout the day. Had dinner together most nights, either out at a restaurant or at home. It was comfortable. And she was more confused than ever.

He'd been true to his word. He hadn't tried to kiss her again. And it was driving her crazy because the more she was with him, the more she thought about the single kiss they'd shared. Every once in a while he'd give her a look and she'd think, oh boy, here it comes, and then he'd go back to whatever he was doing as if there was nothing between them.

She was strung as tight as a guitar string, and even one touch would be enough to make her snap. The more time she spent with him, the more confused she was. They talked about everything—almost everything. He'd never asked her about her ex-husband and she hadn't volunteered the information.

It was the elephant in the room because they knew so much about each other it was glaringly obvious they were avoiding the conversation. But she knew he was waiting for her to bring it up. For her to trust him enough to talk about the humiliation of her marriage.

She felt like a fraud. And she was still waiting for Colt to show a different side of himself. But so far, he was exactly the person he'd said he was—who his family said he was. He was just a nice guy. He wasn't exciting or flashy, always looking for ways to impress her with money or status. He loved his family. Cared for his patients. And took care of the people in the community.

He was just…a nice guy. Solid and stable and steady.

She'd really only had experience with two men in her life—her father and her husband. Her father was an intimidating man who didn't care who he steamrolled or destroyed to make his next million. He expected everyone to serve him, schmooze him, or get out of his way. He didn't care about people, and he certainly had never cared about his family. A father's love was something she'd never known.

And then Todd…she sighed, snapping Chewy's leash to his collar and heading out for their morning walk. Todd was just a con man, plain and simple. And he'd taken up too much of her time and thoughts since he'd jogged into her life. The funny thing was, if she would have introduced her father to Todd, he would have known right away the kind of man he was. Her father had a sixth sense about those who were trying to run schemes on people who had money.

Her therapist had helped her work out and recognize the issues with her parents. And she felt she was at a place where she'd healed and moved on from those people and that life. She didn't know them any more than they knew her. They were strangers, and neither of them were obligated to her just because they shared blood. And she was okay with that.

But the closer she and Colt became, the more entwined their lives and relationship, and the more she realized she was starting to love him, the more she realized that there were one too many men in her life. She was still carrying the memory of Todd around like a punishment. And he was still manipulating her, bombarding her thoughts and staying connected with her. As if he knew he could still inflict torture on her. Maybe that had been his plan all along. He just hated her so much he'd tried to take everything from her, but he wanted her to suffer for the rest of her life as well.

His texts had become more frequent, along with his requests for money or advance payments on his alimony. Somehow he knew she was living in Laurel Valley, and he'd even hinted that he might come for a visit. It was too overwhelming to think about. But she knew continuing to ignore it wasn't going to solve the problem.

"Heavy thoughts," Colt said, slowing his run to a walk so he could keep pace with her. "I could see the frown on your face from a mile off. Book problems?"

"No," she said, trying to tamp down the thoughts of her ex-husband. She gave him a crooked smile instead. "Just preparing myself to be in a room full of your entire family all at once."

"We do it every week," he said. "And we rarely cook friends over an open flame on the first visit."

"Then why does it feel like I'm about to face the inquisition?" she asked.

"Because this is a small town and you're coming to church with my family," he said, winking. "That's as good as a proposal. Just make sure you don't have inappropriate thoughts about me. Reverend Hughes is really good at sensing that stuff and incorporating it into his sermon. And everyone will be watching you anyway, so it'll be obvious."

"You know, I'd actually had a new book idea while I was out this morning, and I was thinking I should stay home and write it down so I don't forget anything."

"Nice try," he said, squeezing her shoulder. "But everyone is already expecting you to show up. If you don't I wouldn't put it past the whole congregation to show up on your doorstep and have the service there."

She blew out a sigh. She'd been living in Laurel Valley long enough to know he was probably right.

"I don't want people to talk about us," she said. "Me coming to church with you is just going to fuel rumors."

"People are already talking about us," he said, shrugging. "Let's give them something to talk about."

"Easy for you to say," she said. "You're the local golden boy. Mac told me some woman called me a big city trollop. You're ruining my reputation."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that," he said, trying to contain a smile. "That's Mrs. Mueller. She's just mad because I used to date her granddaughter."

"Ahh, one of the empty-headed nitwits?"

"Who's now married to one of Hank's foremen. I don't think she's pining too hard for me."

"Sounds like Grandma is," Zoe said, arching a brow.

"What can I say? I'm appealing to women of all ages."

She came to a stop and put her fists on her hips. Chewy took the opportunity to lie down and rest.

"What are we doing here, Colt?" she asked, her heart beating wildly in her chest. They'd been dancing around each other for a couple of months. And she knew if things continued the way they were going she was going to have to make some decisions.

"We're enjoying the morning together, taking in the beauty that can only be found in this particular place. It's not too complicated. Doesn't have to be."

"I know you think that, but it is complicated," she said, frustration tinging her voice. And she was surprised that her voice broke slightly.

He watched her carefully, and if he touched her she thought she'd break down and cry on the spot. He sighed and said, "I love you, Zoe. I know you don't believe that, and that's okay. For now. There's no pressure from me for anything other than what you're comfortable with. And you definitely shouldn't feel pressure from my family or busybodies around town. You go at the speed you can go. No one is asking for anything more."

"Maybe that's the problem," she said, scrubbing her hands over her face. "There are things I need to tell you."

"I know that," he said evenly. "All I need you to know is that I love you. I know you haven't had a lot of that in your life, and you probably don't even recognize it for what it is. But you will. And at some point all that pent-up desire inside you that has you so confused is going to come to the surface and you're going to kiss the socks off of me. But as you mentioned, I have a reputation in this town and I don't want you to think I'm easy, so if you kiss me I'm going to have to tell people we're officially a couple."

Some of the tightness went out of her chest. He had the ability to put her at ease and calm her fears like no one ever had. Things weren't as they should be, but maybe she could figure out a way to start down that path.

She wasn't sure why she did it, but she took a step forward. And then another step. There was something exhilarating about the wariness in his eyes. And then the awareness as he realized what she was going to do.

"Zoe," he warned.

She took another step forward until their bodies were only a breath apart. And then she tilted her mouth up to his and kissed the underside of his chin. Then his jaw. And the sound of his indrawn breath was like music to her ears. She looked up into his eyes and saw the blaze of desire banked within their dark depths, and she realized what tight control he'd had over himself these last months.

He stayed completely still, letting her be the aggressor as he'd told her he would. He'd said it would have to be her that came to him. So she put her hands on his chest and lifted herself onto her toes, and her mouth met his.

This wasn't a kiss like their last had been—soft and sweet and gentle. This was a kiss that held all the desire and love and friendship that had flared between them, what had started as an ember and flamed into something more.

Her fingers flexed into his hard chest and she whimpered at the feel of his lips against hers. She didn't know how long it lasted, where they were, or if anyone was watching. She just knew it was the two of them, and she'd never felt so whole.

She pulled back, breaking the kiss, and realized they were both breathing hard. She didn't let go of him, afraid her knees would collapse beneath her. He leaned his forehead against hers in a gesture so sweet it almost brought tears to her eyes.