Stalking her Dreams (A Coverton Mills Romance Book 1) Read online

  She nodded and headed for the table. He followed and sat the picnic basket on the bench to stake their claim.

  “I like this, and I’m getting hungry. I missed breakfast and I’m anxious to see what you brought in that basket.”

  “Then if you’ll start putting out the food, I’ll go back to the car and get the cooler.”

  In the basket, Heather found a tablecloth with matching napkins folded on top. She spread it on the cement table. Next, she took out plastic plates, flatware, regular drinking glasses and wine glasses. She then found individual containers of fried chicken tenders, green beans and a basket of rolls. Everything still felt warm. The last item in the basket was a pecan pie.

  When she had it all arranged on the table, she stood back and muttered, “How in the world did he manage all of this?”

  “Didn’t you know he was magic?” he asked from behind her.

  Smiling, she said, “I didn’t know it, but I’m beginning to believe he is.”

  “Well, let’s see what I can conjure up from this cooler.” He popped off the lid. “Here’s iced tea.” He handed it to her and reached back inside. “I think this is a bowl of potato salad and the other is fruit, I guess.” He then gave her an assortment of cheeses and ended with a bottle of wine.

  When they were halfway through the meal, she looked across the table at him. “I’m impressed, but I’ve got to know. How did you pull this off on such short notice?”

  “I wish I could say I threw it all together to impress you, but I can’t claim the credit. There’s an inn close to my farm. They usually have a good Sunday lunch so I called and asked them to pack a basket for me. Is it okay?”

  Heather remembered seeing a bed and breakfast mentioned on his web site. “It’s delicious. If this is an example of their cooking I want to eat there sometime.”

  “I’m sure you will if you decide you can stand hanging around with me.”

  “I think I can handle that.”

  “Good.”

  They chatted and laughed and enjoyed being with each other through the rest of the meal. Afterward, they packed everything away except the fruit, wine, and glasses.

  “Shall we go sit under the tree next to the water? I want to talk about what you said last night.” He picked up the wine and the glasses.

  “Sure.” She got the blanket and the fruit.

  She spread the blanket on the soft grass and eased down on it. He sat beside her.

  “I saw a movie once,” she said. “This older couple went on a picnic and they sat on the ground like this. When it came time to go home, neither one of them could get up. They had to call 911.”

  “I have my cell phone in my pocket and we’ll call if we need to.” Alex laughed out loud. “Ready for the wine?” She nodded and he pulled out the cork.

  “I see you’ve already opened it.”

  “I did that at home. This was my only contribution to the meal.” He looked at her. “There’s a winery on part of my farm and I keep my cellar stocked.”

  She held the glasses for him to fill. “That’s nice.”

  He put the cork back in the bottle, set it aside, took his glass and clinked it to hers, “To us.”

  “To us,” she whispered.

  He took a drink. “Now, I’m ready to hear why you’re you afraid of me?”

  She took a sip of wine and said with a laugh, “Well, Alex, after today, I think I might have a lot to be afraid of. You can pull off some pretty big tricks.”

  He shook his head and she went on, “Actually, I’m not afraid of you physically. I’m not afraid you’ll hurt me or attack me or anything like that. In fact, you’ve been nothing but a gentleman. I’m not even afraid you’ll make me do something I don’t want to do or—”

  He interrupted her. “Heather, do you always ramble when you’re nervous?”

  She laughed. “I guess it’s my way of stalling.”

  “Tell you what.” He looked down at her. “Let’s make a pact. I know we’re almost strangers, but we’re learning about each other at a fast pace. I feel you’re probably an honest and open person and that’s one thing that attracts me to you.” He took a breath. “I want a relationship where I can be completely open and honest with someone. Where I can say everything I feel, or answer any question put to me. I’d like to know someone who feels the same way. No matter where this relationship goes, could we make a pact to be this way with each other?”

  “I’d like that, Alex.” She held her glass toward him. “I drink to our pact.”

  He clinked his glass with hers again and they both sipped their wine.

  Silence followed and she broke it, “I guess I have to go first.” He nodded and she went on. “I don’t know exactly why you frighten me, Alex, but I think it’s because since my divorce I haven’t been as attracted to a man as I have been to you. I feel like my emotions are going to slip out of my control and I don’t like that. I’ve been in control of myself for a long time, and it confuses me.” She looked at him. “Is that honest enough for you?”

  “How can someone as lovely and charming as you be attracted to a country boy like me?” He whispered as he slid his arm around her.

  “Don’t hand me that. I know you’re a well-to-do businessman, Alex. And with your charm and personality, I’m sure you’ve got women chasing you all over these mountains.”

  “Most men in my age group who end up single get chased and I’m no exception—but until now, I’ve been careful not to get caught.” In one fluid motion Alex pulled her close to him and she leaned her head on his shoulder. “The rules changed the minute you stepped out on that stage Friday night.”

  “How did they change?”

  “When those four women walked out, I spotted you. In my mind, I said I hope the one in those sexy black pants is the writer, because I want to meet her.”

  She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. “You didn’t.”

  “I did, too. My heart fell to the floor when the first woman got up. When I realized she was only introducing you, I started to breathe again.”

  “Boy, you sure know how to sweet-talk a woman.”

  “I’m trying.”

  They were silent for a long time. It was pleasant being together. She enjoyed the smiles and looks he kept giving her. The feel of her head against his chest and his fingers entwined with hers.

  His cell phone rang. He shifted and took it out of his pocket. “Yes, Irma?”

  Heather looked away. Surely, he wouldn’t talk with a girlfriend while he’s here with me.

  He continued. “No, Irma. I won’t be home. Okay, see you tomorrow.” He hung up and smiled at Heather. “My housekeeper’s home from visiting her sister and wanted to know if she should cook dinner.” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “I told her no because I assumed you’d let me eat leftovers with you.”

  “Maybe I will since she wasn’t one of those women who chases you all over the mountains.”

  He grinned and pulled her face to his. “I only want one woman chasing me.”

  “Okay. Who is she? I’ll let her know you’re interested.”

  “Smarty pants,” he whispered as his lips covered hers. When he let her go, he said, “Does that tell you who she is?”

  A young couple walked by and the guy caught Alex’s eye. The boy smiled and gave him the thumbs-up sign. Alex returned it.

  “They think we’re ancient, don’t they?” Her eyes twinkled.

  “Probably, but they’ve got a lot to learn, and they have no idea how much. Time does have its way of sliding by, doesn’t it?”

  “That’s why we have to take advantage of the days God has allotted us.”

  “Yes, we do. Every minute of those days.” He smiled at her.

  “How long are you going to be in Hendersonville, Heather?”

  “I have to leave by Tuesday morning. I have an event in Greenville, South Carolina on Tuesday evening.”

  “Then, can we spend tomorrow together? We’ll do all the touristy things in t
he area. There’re probably things around I haven’t seen, and I’ve lived here all my life.”

  “That sounds like fun.”

  “Good. Now tomorrow is taken care of. Let’s decide what we want to do for the rest of the afternoon.”

  “There’s not much left of the afternoon. It’s almost four o’clock.” She laughed.

  “Already? Well, let’s not waste the rest of the day.”

  “What do you want to do, Alex?”

  “Find the restrooms, come back and maybe have some fruit and cheese and another glass of wine. Then sit under this tree with a beautiful woman in my arms and watch the sun set over the water.”

  “Maybe I can find you a beautiful woman in the bathroom.”

  “You do that.” He stood and pulled her up. “In the meantime, you’ll do.” He folded his arms around her and kissed her. Letting her go he smiled and said, “Hurry back with that beautiful woman.”

  The rest of their day together slipped by much too fast. They watched the sunset, ate leftovers and drank the rest of the wine and ate the fruit. When darkness fell, they headed to the inn where they shared a double hammock and counted the stars. At midnight, they said good night with long and gentle kisses. Heather went to bed feeling like a teenager who’d managed to snag a date with the high school hero.

  CHAPTER 12

  On Monday, Alex arrived at the inn at eight o’clock. Heather was still at the table on the eating porch. He joined her for a leisurely cup of coffee. When they finished, he waited on the porch while she went to her room for her purse and to freshen her lipstick.

  It was almost nine when they left the parking lot. Their first stop was the Carl Sandburg home in Flat Rock. Heather was impressed when they took the tour of the house. As a writer, it was awe-inspiring to see the collection of ten thousand books and all the other artifacts kept with the property.

  Leaving the house, they walked hand-in-hand to the goat barn where Mrs. Sandburg had raised her herd. Several of the animals, cared for by park rangers, were around, and Heather ended up petting as many as she could reach.

  They left the historical park about one and stopped at a local cafe for lunch, then spent the afternoon touring historical downtown Hendersonville. They ended up at City Hall where they looked over the historical items. Heather was surprised at the three statues of North Carolina presidents, Andrew Johnson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Jackson.

  Back at the inn, Alex saw her to her room. “I’m going to run home, shower and change into some jeans,” he said. “I want to

  take you to a place I like for dinner, and it’s casual.”

  “Should I wear jeans?”

  “I bet you look good in them.”

  She laughed and turned to him. “Why don’t you reserve judgment?”

  He slid his arms around her. “I don’t have to wait. I know already.”

  “You charmer, you.”

  He kissed her. Slowly, at first, then the passion began to build. Finally, she was strong enough to pull away. “I think you’d better go. We’re on dangerous ground here in my room.”

  He glanced about the apple-green bedroom. “You’re right.” He let her go and turned toward the door. “I’ve got to get that shower. Probably a cold one.” He winked at her. “See you around six-thirty.”

  “I’ll be ready.”

  When the door closed behind him, Heather turned the lock and began to undress. She stepped into the shower. The water felt good as it ran over her tired body. Her mind was replaying the wonderful events of the day she’d spent with Alex as she washed her platinum hair with an apricot shampoo. When she finished, she wrapped a terry towel around it and dried her body with another towel.

  She selected a white tank top to put under the white gauze shirt which she would leave unbuttoned. She slipped into her black jeans and stuck on white sandals. She accented her outfit with a heavy Indian necklace of silver and turquoise with matching dangle earrings. After applying her makeup, she looked at the clock. Six-fifteen.

  Her phone rang and her heart jumped. She hoped nothing had happened to keep Alex from coming. She knew it wasn’t Alex when she looked at the number on the small screen. “Yes, William?”

  “Well, you sound as if you’re in a better mood. At least you didn’t bite my head off like you did Saturday.” There was a tap on her door.

  “I’m sorry I bit your head off, but you made me mad.” She walked to the door, unlocked and opened it. She motioned for Alex to come in. “And yes,” she said into the phone. “I’m in a great mood because it’s been a wonderful day.”

  She waved her hand toward the chair in the corner. He leaned down and kissed her cheek before taking the chair. She smiled at him and sat on the side of the bed.

  “So what made this day so special, Heather?” William asked.

  “I spent it with a new friend.”

  “A man?”

  “Yes.” She didn’t mean to add, “A wonderful man.” Alex raised his eyebrow at her, and she smiled.

  “Somebody you know from the writing world?”

  “No. I met him recently, and he’s taking me to dinner tonight.”

  “Heather, are you crazy? You’ve got no business going off with some strange man. You need to get your butt in your car and come home right now.”

  “I’ve already told you I won’t be home for a few weeks. Why don’t you accept that?”

  “I can’t. I don’t want my girlfriend off somewhere—”

  “Whoa. I’m not your girlfriend, William. I have never been your girlfriend, and chances are only one in zillions I’ll ever be your girlfriend.”

  “Well, what’s all the dinners and concerts been about?”

  “We went to two concerts and we’ve eaten out a few times. They add up to nothing, William. Now, I’ve got to go. My man is waiting for me.”

  “He’s not in your room, is he?”

  “Yes, he’s in my room. I’ve finished dressing to go to dinner. Do you want to make something of that?”

  “You’ve never let me come to your house, much less your room—”

  She interrupted him. “William, I’m tired of this conversation and I’m hanging up. Good- bye.” She threw the phone on her bed and looked at Alex. “I’m not going to take it with me. He might call back.”

  Alex nodded and stood. “You look great.”

  They went out and as she turned from locking the door, she said, “I’m sorry you had to witness that conversation.” He only smiled.

  They walked out the front door of the inn and headed toward the parking lot with their arms locked around each other. Alex said, “At least I learned a few things I liked from your conversation.”

  “What were they?”

  “One, you think I’m wonderful—or so you told him. Two, you called me your man which may have been a slip of the tongue, but I want to believe you meant it. Three, there’s only one chance in zillions he’ll ever be my competition.”

  “So, you learned all that from hearing only my end of the conversation?”

  “I did, and I learned something else, too.” She didn’t say anything and he went on. “I now know you can make a man believe anything you want him to, and you don’t have to lie to do it.”

  She frowned and he went on. “I’m sure your friend William is now convinced you’re having a hot, torrid affair with some strange man. What else could he think after you told him I was in the room and you’d just gotten dressed?”

  “Let him think whatever he wants to. I don’t care.”

  Alex laughed and pointed her to his parking space. “I decided to drive my pickup truck tonight. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind at all. Some of the best memories I have were made in a pickup truck.”

  He turned her around and looked down in her eyes, “Oh?”

  “Alex, Alex.” She put her hand on his chest. “You’re going to have to stop reading things into what I say. Most of the time when I talk I have no deeper meanings in my words.
”

  “What about other times?”

  “Well, occasionally I say things to make a person think what I want them to.”

  He opened the door and helped her inside. “When I get in, I want to hear about your pickup truck experiences.”

  He started backing out of his parking spot and she said, “When I was a kid, my dad had a pickup. It was old, kind of a rusty green color, and I think it was a Ford, but I’m not sure.

  “He’d drive it when we went out to my grandparents’ farm. Sometimes, Dad would let my sister and me ride in the back as we’d go through the pasture, dumping hay to the cows. For a city kid, the feel of wind whipping my hair and hanging on with all my might to keep from sliding out the back was the epitome of excitement and danger.”

  “I bet so.” He reached over and took her hand. “Do you still have your parents, Heather?”

  “My father is in a rest home, but he doesn’t know me anymore. He thinks I’m a nice lady who visits him. My mother died four years ago. I miss them both.”

  Alex raised her hand and kissed her finger tips. “I haven’t had my parents for a while, either. I don’t guess one ever stops missing their folks.”

  “I don’t think we do, but we do have the little ones coming along.” She bolted upright. “Oh, I shouldn’t have left my phone at the inn. My daughter-in-law is pregnant. They always know they can call me on my cell if something happens.”

  He let go of her hand, reached into his pocket and took out his phone. “Here, call and leave them my number in case they need you.”

  “You don’t mind?”

  “Of course I don’t mind.”

  Heather remembered the time she and William had gone to a concert and he got irritated when she wanted to check with the kids. How different these two men were. She dialed Tim’s number. “I got their answering machine.” She waited then said, “Hi, guys, it’s Grammy. I’m out with a friend and I don’t have my phone. Here’s the number where you can reach me if you need to.” She looked at him. He told her his number and she repeated it into the phone. “Hope you don’t have to call. Love you all. Bye-bye.”

  “Thank you, Alex.” She handed him back the phone.