The next morning dawned cold and gray, a stillness in the air that felt almost eerie. Darcy lay in bed, reluctant to get up. It was tempting to just snuggle in under the covers and stay there.
Her mind traveled back to the night that had just passed and the feel of Nick’s lips tracing across her skin. She was glad he had given in gracefully when she asked him to stop. She knew a lot of men would not have pushed the subject, some might even have held back. She’d seen the bulge in Nick’s boxer briefs; she knew it hadn’t been easy for him to let go.
Now she had to face him. She groaned and threw her arm over her eyes. She’d be damned if she let this attraction destroy the peace she’d found here. She was determined to act normal and ignore the magnetism drawing them together.
Drawing her determination around her, she got up and dressed in jeans and a pink turtleneck and a white hoodie. She swept her hair into a ponytail and prepared to face Nick like nothing had happened between them.
Nick was already in the kitchen starting the coffee. He tossed her a casual good morning and went back to concentrating on his task. Thank God, he must have decided to take the same route as she had this morning. Good, they would just go on acting like they’d never tasted each other.
“We need to get into town before the storm breaks,” he commented as he took a seat at the bar.
“Not a problem. I’ll just whip up some scrambled eggs, and we’ll get going.”
They ate breakfast then headed out. Darcy was relieved there wasn’t stress between them. They talked about what they wanted to buy and planned for the worst. “Don’t worry. If we lose power the generator will kick in,” Nick reassured her. “And we’ve always got the fireplace.”
Darcy wasn’t worried. She felt safe with Nick and knew he could handle an ice storm. They had to be here anyway. It’s not like they had anywhere else to go.
Nick tuned the radio into a station playing golden oldies rock and Darcy applauded. She loved the old songs. She’d grown up on them. When Rag Doll by the Four Seasons began flowing from the speakers, Darcy couldn’t help but sing along. Soon Nick joined her, and they harmonized perfectly much to her surprise.
“You’re a great singer,” she said. “I didn’t know you sang.”
“You should hear me in the shower,” he chuckled.
Hear him? Hell, she’d like to see him in the shower. For one moment she let her imagination run free, visions of a naked Nick with water sluicing over his golden skin and dripping from his hair.
She coughed, almost strangling. Damn, she had to quit that shit. That was not the way to keep this relationship casual.
Nick turned alarmed eyes on her and reached out and patted her on the back. “Are you okay?”
After a couple more choking noises she nodded, eyes watering. Geez, she had to quit thinking things like that; now it was endangering her health. She’d almost choked.
They drove through the forested hills and came into town. Once again, they hit the grocery, but this time they shared one cart. The store was busy with people stocking up for the storm, shelves quickly emptying of bread and milk. Their own cart was full when they rolled up to the cash register. The cashier, an older lady with curly silver hair, glanced up and a look of recognition lit up her face.
“Nick. Nick Baker. How have you been? How’s your folks?” The lady talked fast and nonstop. “Oh, and this pretty lady must be your wife. You finally got married, did ya? Looks like you picked a winner. And, little lady, you definitely got yourself a prize. Girls around here have been chasing the Baker boys forever it seems like.”
“This isn’t my—” Nick started to say, but Margie, as her name tag read, talked as fast as her fingers flew over the register keys.
“Well, it’s good to see you. It’s been too long since any of you Bakers have been around. Is your momma doing okay? I swear, she is the sweetest woman. That’ll be $72.83, please. I wonder when we’ll get a visit from the seniors. Your parents haven’t been around in a coon’s age.”
Nick fumbled for his wallet and tried to speak again, but Margie didn’t have time to listen. She continued on with her rant. “You Bakers need to come around more often. You know all the town folk miss ya. Now, here’s your change and I hope to see you again soon. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Baker.” And then she was waving goodbye at them and greeting her next customers. They left the line and headed for the SUV.
Darcy’s cheeks were still flaming by the time they had the groceries loaded and were back in the vehicle. The thought of them as a married couple upset her equilibrium. She didn’t know why she felt so uncomfortable by the idea; it was just a silly mistake. Margie had simply jumped to a conclusion. But that didn’t make Darcy feel any less disturbed about being proclaimed Nick’s wife.
Nick laughed out loud as he looked at her as he pulled out of the parking spot. “I thought you were going to explode when she called you my wife.”
“What made me want to explode is you didn’t set her straight.”
“I tried. She wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise.”
Darcy knew that was true, but she wasn’t ready to let him off that easy.
“Come on, you question killers and rapists. You mean you couldn’t speak up to one little old lady cashier?” She put as much sarcasm in her voice as possible.
“Confronting Margie about something is scarier than busting a killer,” he chuckled. “She used to give me gumballs and correct my grammar. I’ve never talked back to her.”
“Well, now she thinks you’re married. What are you going to do about that?” She tried to sound stern but was distracted by the image of Nick as a boy. She bet he had been a real charmer.
“I’m not going to do anything about it right now. Margie’s been trying to fix me up with locals for a dozen or more years. I can use a break.” A smile played across his lips as he made the declaration.
“That’s just wrong, Nick.” She shook her head, amazed that he was so willing to give up his single status. “I don’t want to be part of your lie.”
“Oh, lighten up, Darcy,” he shot back. “Besides, what’s so terrible about the thought of being married to me?”
Darcy felt her mouth fall open then snap shut. She didn’t know what to say. Was now the time to confess her feelings about cops? Or should she just brush him off?
She didn’t know if she was ready to explain her feelings, so she decided to go the other route. “What makes you think it would be so great?”
He turned his gaze on her for a moment and raised an eyebrow. “It seems like there are several women who like the idea.”
“Well, some women are willing to settle.”
“Settle? Settle?” Nick’s voice went up in volume. “I’m a great catch. I’ve got a good job, I’m not addicted to anything, and I’m a pretty nice guy. And, I’ve been told, I’m not bad to look at.”
“Phew, the smell of arrogance is pretty strong in here.” She commented with a tiny grin playing across her lips.
“That’s not arrogance. It’s confidence,” he retorted. “Seriously, though, why are you so abhorred by the idea of being married to me?”
Darcy didn’t say anything for a minute. Did she really want to tell him the truth? She didn’t like to talk about her dad’s death. She had been as close to him as it was possible for a daughter to be to a father. But she didn’t know what else to tell Nick except the truth.