CHAPTER NINE
SHE NAMED THE cat Cupid. Seemed appropriate to Adam, considering the cat had played a hand in helping him get closer to Issy. All week he watched her with Cupid, and it brought back memories of other things.
She bought the cat toys, and he thought of the times he’d seen her gift books to underprivileged students.
She groomed Cupid, and he thought of the time he’d walked into the library and found her fixing a girl’s hair when one of her braids had come undone. When she’d finished, that braid looked better than the other, so she’d redone the second one also, neatly tying ribbons to the ends of both. The girl had given her a shy smile, a fast hug, then taken the book Issy offered and went off to read.
He could still recall how he’d stood there, watching Issy as she smiled after the child, a look of tenderness in her eyes. No one would ever call her just a librarian, because she was so much more. Librarian, fighter for the underdog, motivated giver, caring supervisor, and sexy manipulator… Isabella Presley was a complex, complicated, fascinating woman with an enormous capacity for love.
That day in the school library, she’d been wearing a below-the-knee black pencil skirt with flats and a tucked-in white blouse, her hair in a twist at the back of her neck. He’d teased himself with the thought of kissing her nape, then stripping her out of those sedate clothes.
He’d approached her, as he often had, but as usual she’d been all business without a single flirting note in her voice. Now, of course, he realized it was her professionalism and her awareness of students nearby that had kept her from engaging in anything other than respectful small talk.
One memory always led to another, and he realized…he’d been a fool. Always, in so many different ways, Issy had shown herself to be very special. He should have been more attuned to his own attraction and stated his interest instead of expecting her to act first.
Maybe he was too damned used to women chasing him.
Issy would never chase—except she had come up with a pretty creative way to get his attention…with the help of his meddling cousin.
And thinking of Amber, he knew he needed to clue her in on his and Issy’s new relationship, especially after he pulled up to her house and for the third day in a row, found other men already there.
Issy stood on the porch, dressed casually in a T-shirt and shorts and looking sexier than ever with her dark red hair loose. By her animated face and hand gestures, Adam knew she was making her excuses, but the guys kept grinning and trying to persuade her otherwise.
Deciding to lend a hand, he slammed his door—and drew all their attention. He smiled as he made his way toward them.
“Adam,” Issy said, sounding suddenly breathless. “You’re early.”
“I finished up sooner than I thought.” He ignored Ken and Gary, stepped past them, scooped Issy in for a passionate kiss, and while she was preoccupied with that, he stepped them both inside and kicked the door shut. Ending the kiss with reluctance, he looked down at Issy’s closed eyes and parted lips and appreciated the heavier way she breathed. “They’ll leave now,” he assured her.
Her heavy eyelids lifted. “Who?”
Ah, nice that the chemistry was so strong for both of them. “The yahoos on your porch.”
“My porch,” she repeated, and a second later her eyes flared. “The men!” She pushed Adam aside, opened the door and…
Damn, they both still stood there.
“I am so sorry,” Issy said. She frowned at Adam to ensure they all knew where she placed the blame.
Ken grinned at her. “No problem.”
Rubbing the smile off his mouth, Gary said, “Say yes, and we can get out of your way.”
Aggressive confusion had Adam crossing his arms and mean-mugging both men.
“Adam,” Issy said, “Ken and Gary are here about a game-day fundraiser.”
“We have it on good authority that she’s a shark at horseshoes.” Ken gave her a sappy smile. “We need her on our team.”
“I’m really not,” Issy insisted. “I keep telling you—”
“Turly already told us.” Gary slanted a look at Adam. “He said she’s real good.”
“So we need you,” Ken repeated.
And damn it, Adam just knew they were wording their pleas in a way to annoy him.
“The fundraiser isn’t for another month.” He and his family always participated. Several different sports and games were set up and throughout the day fellow citizens competed for a fee. Whoever won each sport got to designate which local non-profit received the funds.
“Got to grab her up quick,” Ken said, “before someone else does.”
“If we win,” Gary added, “the money will go to the town library.”
Of all the underhanded tricks! Gary and Ken usually put their winnings toward the lake, adding benches for sitting, or trees along the shoreline to help draw carp.
The bait worked though, and Issy perked up. “Really? Oh, that’s wonderful.”
Fast, before he got pushed aside, Adam said, “I wanted you on my team—for horseshoes and volleyball. I figured we’d divide our wins with one going to the library, and the other to help with the feral cat population.”
Even more enthused, she said, “Oh, Adam, that would be perfect!”
Adam reeled her on in, saying, “We could maybe try our hands at softball, too, if you’re interested. Think of all the money we could donate if we won all three.”
She grabbed him for a tight hug. Over her head, Adam let Gary and Ken see his smug satisfaction.
Because they were going out to dinner, where Adam could show the whole town that they were a couple, Issy said her goodbyes to the others and hurried inside for her purse.
Taking advantage of the moment, Adam propped a shoulder against the doorjamb and tried to make a point. “I’m glad to know you were only here to ask her to compete.”
Gary cocked a brow. “First I asked her out, and when she said no to that, I moved on to the games.”
Damn it. Provoked, Adam slowly straightened.
“Same here,” Ken said, drawing Adam’s frown his way. “I figured when I pulled up and heard her refusing Gary, I might have a chance. But I struck out, too.”
Of all the… Thumb to his chest, Adam stated, “Neither of you has a chance because she’s with me.”
“Sure, sure.” Clapping him on the shoulder, Ken turned to go. “Good luck convincing everyone else.”
“Just so you know,” Gary added, “I’ve been after her for a long time.”
Adam ground his teeth. “Now you can stop.”
“Maybe. Think I’ll wait and see how it works out with you first.” He saluted Adam and left to catch up with Ken.
Adam was still stewing when he felt a brush against his legs and looked down to find Cupid staring after the men. Adam knew if he went to pick up the cat, she’d shy away.
She was still pretty timid with most people. He could pet her with an outstretched arm, but she wasn’t keen on being held. Yet. He could force the issue, but would rather wait.
Between him, Issy, and his dad, Cupid was warming up. All she needed was plenty of love and patience. Issy had a wealth of both. “You should learn to be a guard cat. Keep all those other rats away.”
Cupid meowed, then darted in to find Issy.
He and the cat had something in common.
They were both crazy about Isabella Presley.
* * *
EVERY DAY FOR the rest of the week, Adam finished his day by showing up at Isabella’s. They’d have dinner, make love, then sleep curled together.
The situation would have been perfect, except that far too often when he got to her place, he found other guys there. Oh, they had a variety of reasons for visiting that on the surface sounded innocent enough.
But he wasn’t buying it.
Now that Issy was on the market, it seemed every bachelor in Buckhorn wanted to try his chances with her.
It got to where his routine included thinking about Issy when he wasn’t with her, finally getting to her only to have to chase off the competition, and then spending the rest of his time trying to ensure she wasn’t interested in other guys.
She helped by repeatedly stating her love. He’d gotten used to that, to hearing those three small but awesome words from her. Even though he hadn’t yet said them back, he knew the truth.
He loved being with her, loved touching her, talking to her—and especially loved sex with her. He couldn’t imagine a woman more compatible with him, and didn’t even want to imagine himself with anyone else.
Isabella was it for him.
The only reason he hesitated to state his feelings was because it almost felt forced. Not by Isabella, but by his damned cousin who, he felt sure, was the one repeatedly tossing guys at her. Amber would probably do it to both annoy him and prod him toward declarations. But he wanted Issy to know he wasn’t coerced in any way, to understand that he’d already been interested long before they ramped up things at the carnival. Kissing her had sealed the deal. Getting close to her had completely stolen his heart.
Given a little time, he could show her how much he cared, instead of merely telling her. But time didn’t seem to be on his side.
Within an hour of them getting to the family picnic on Sunday, two local guys who’d showed up with Garrett began to flirt with her. Cupid wasn’t happy about being in a carrier, and she especially didn’t like the guys talking so loud.
They’d brought her along because Jordan wanted to check her over again. His uncle often did vet checks of the family pets at big gatherings. Eventually Cupid would come to enjoy all the attention, but for now, there’d be a quiet place in the house for her during their visit.
Using the cat as an excuse, Adam pointed the pushy guys in the direction of his Uncle Gabe’s daughters, Briana, April and Kady. For sure, those three flirts would keep them occupied.
He glared at Garrett, who just grinned and hugged Zoey closer. “Problem, Adam?”
“No.” Not since he got the guys to move on. If he had his way, he’d end the date-parade today. He said to Issy, “Cupid would probably like to get out of this carrier, and I’m betting Garrett and Zoey would love to meet her.”
Garrett, who’d started to move toward one of the coolers for a beer, froze. He glanced at Adam, cocked a brow, and then proved himself loyal by saying, “Yeah, that’d be great. But why don’t we all go inside first, in case Cupid freaks out?”
Issy, who’d been cooing to the cat, smiled at Garrett. “She’s really very sweet—”
A feral snarl emerged.
Taking the carrier from Issy, Garrett soothed both the cat and her by saying, “Poor baby isn’t liking all the commotion. Let’s take her in.” Winking at Adam, he added, “You can go ahead and have that talk with Amber. We’ll be fine.”
Zoey laughed. “My money’s on Amber.” She hooked her arm through Isabella’s and got them moving.
“I’ll be right back,” Adam called after them.
Always happy to brag about her pet, Isabella nodded and off she went with his bemused cousin Garrett, and Zoey, who was always enthusiastic about everything.
It required only a short search before Adam located Amber in the kitchen, stealing a kiss from Noel Poet.
“Ahem,” he said loudly.
Noel ignored him, but Amber jumped away guiltily. “Adam. Hey, you’re here. What’s up?”
Rolling his eyes, Noel said, “Judging by the look on his face, your goose is cooked, that’s what.”
“I don’t know what you—”
Noel kissed her again, short and sweet. “I’ll give you two some privacy.”
“Traitor,” Amber grumbled, then she pasted on a smile. “Adam. You do look a little grouchy. Everything going okay?”
Knowing Issy was in the house and could show up at any minute, Adam crowded close to whisper, “I thought you loved me.”
She grinned. “I do. Very much.”
“Then quit with the interfering.”
On a feigned gasp of indignation, she said, “I assist. There’s a difference.”
“Your brand of assistance is about to make me insane.”
Going serious, she said, “Hey, I called them off.”
“Right.” If that was true, she must not have been very convincing.
“I did,” she insisted.
“When?”
“Soon as you told me you were involved, that day at her house.” She shrugged. “I guess now that they’ve made note of her, they’re free agents. Not my doing. Just men going after what they want.”
“Issy?”
She patted Adam’s shoulder. “You have to admit, the woman is a catch.”
“Of course she is. She’s beautiful and smart and sweet.”
“Sexy, too?” Amber asked.
“Smokin’ hot.” He let out a breath. If it wasn’t Amber encouraging the men, he needed to think of a way to discourage them.
“She’s good with kids, too.”
“You don’t have to tell me.” Adam rubbed the back of his neck. “She’s incredible with them. Understanding and genuinely caring. One day, she’ll make a terrific mother.”
Both brows up, Amber asked, “With you as the father?”
“That’s the plan, if I can—”
Behind him, Issy gasped.
Adam jerked around, and there she stood, Cupid cuddled in her arms, her eyes wide with astonishment.
Zoey and Garrett grinned behind her.
Damn it. Of all the ways he’d considered declaring himself, this wasn’t one of them. “Hey.”
She blinked those big blue eyes at him. “Hey.”
Amber sighed. “I love it when a plan comes together.” She bestowed an approving smile on each of them, gathered up Garrett and Zoey, and exited the kitchen.
For once, Adam appreciated her efforts. At least now he and Issy had some privacy.
He closed the distance between them, brushed his knuckles along her jaw, and asked, “What do you think?”
Face going pink, she whispered, “About?”
“Having babies with me. Not just yet, but someday. After we’re married, of course.”
For one heart-stopping moment, her bottom lip trembled. “I guess that depends.” After a deep breath, she asked, “Do you love me?”
“Very, very much.”
All the starch left her, and she even lightly punched him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want you to think it was Amber’s idea. I know how she manipulates things.”
“She does?”
How could Issy be unaware of that? “She told you not to tell me how you felt, right?”
Warily, Issy nodded. “Yes.”
To let her know it was okay, Adam kissed her forehead. “Amber didn’t want me to get too cocky about things.” Without making an issue of it, he led her out of the kitchen and down the hall. He needed to ensure they’d have a few minutes alone, and he wanted to hold her—which meant getting her to an enclosed room where she could put down Cupid. “But after you gave me the cold shoulder so many times, there wasn’t much chance of that happening.”
“I never.”
“Yeah, honey, you did.”
Under her breath, she grumbled, “Well, how’s a woman to know what you’re thinkin’?”
“Usually if I talked to a woman, she’d chat back, flirt a little, open the door to more. But you were always all business and I guess I didn’t want to get shot down.”
“I wouldn’t have,” she said gently. “And I hesitated to be bolder with you for the same reason. You’re Buckhorn’s most wanted bachelor, and I’m just—”
“Amazing.” Pausing in the hallway, he kissed her. “Wonderful.” Another kiss. “And mine.”
Leaning into him, she sighed. “Yes.” Then she shook her head and laughed. “Yes to being yours. I don’t know about the rest.”
“You can take my word on it.” So much time they’d wasted. Sometimes his cousin was a genius—not that he’d ever admit it to her. “Amber also told me you were a little wild,” he teased.
“Wild?” Face hotter now, Issy didn’t hesitate when he led her into an empty bedroom and closed the door. “That’s ridiculous.”
Not really. He had no idea how Amber had known, but when it came to sex—or at least, sex with him—Isabella was open, free, and totally uninhibited.
In other words, perfect.
But then, she was pretty much perfect in everything she did, whether it was running a middle school library, caring for kids in need, charming the masses, or making him insane with lust. “I assume Amber told me that to get me intrigued. Thing is, I was always intrigued. You need to know that.”
Sitting on the side of the bed, Issy released a wiggling Cupid who wanted to sniff the room. Without the cat to hold, she laced her fingers together. “You hid it well.”
“No, honey, you’re just not great at picking up the signals. Too many times, I was all but panting for you.”
“No,” she said with fascinated disbelief.
Adam had no problem reassuring her. “Yup. But now that we’re together, it doesn’t matter.”
“Because you love me?” She said it as if she couldn’t quite bend her brain around it.
That was his fault. In trying to prove a point with Amber, he’d left Isabella uncertain.
“How could I not?” he asked. “Everything about you has always drawn me, but with my cousin putting her nose into things, we’ve now been able to talk in a more…” He fumbled for the right word.
“Intimate way?”
“Yes.” He grinned, thinking of all the ways they’d been intimate. “That.” Sitting beside her, Adam took her worried hands and held them. “Not for a second do I want you to think Amber talked me into anything. I’ve always wanted you, Issy, always liked you and been drawn to you. If you’d opened up more a year ago, we’d probably be married by now.”
Her eyes went round.
It wasn’t a quite a proposal, but more like a declaration of intent.
“We have time,” he told her. “Time to do everything you want, time for me to show you how much I care, time to just enjoy being together before we start rushing into new plans.” He didn’t want her to feel pressured.
Cupid wound around their legs, leaving her long tail out until she’d formed a furry shackle.
Carefully, so he wouldn’t spook her, Adam scooped her up and into Issy’s lap. “What do you say we start by getting engaged? That way everyone will know you’re not available. We can take our time figuring out everything else.”
She didn’t even blink. “I’d like that.”
Smiling, he said, “We can pick out rings whenever you want.”
Nodding hard, she gasped, “Okay.”
Adam had to kiss her, so he did. As usual, she tasted so good, stirred him on so many levels, that he got carried away. Things might have gotten inappropriate, given they were in his uncle’s house, except that Cupid’s tail hit him in the chin, reminding him of the here and now.
He leaned away with a grin. “I want everyone to know you’re taken.”
Staring at his mouth, she whispered, “Long as they know you’re taken, too.”
“I’ll be telling it to everyone who’ll listen.” And definitely to anyone male who came sniffing around Issy.
“I love you,” she whispered.
Adam cupped her face, his heart full. “I love you, too.”
A tap sounded at the door, and Amber gave a loud, “Ahem.”
Adam groaned. “What now?”
“Everyone’s gathered to eat if you two want to make any—hint, hint—announcements.”
Adam stood and opened the door. “It’s uncanny how you do that.”
Beaming, she bragged, “I have my skills.”
Issy appeared at his side, leaning into him while holding Cupid. “Do your skills include ropin’ in Noel Poet?”
Amber frowned. “I’m working on it.”
From behind her, Noel said, “Good to know.”
Aghast, Amber went still, then red in the face before slowly pivoting to face Noel. “It’s rude to sneak up on people.”
“That’s never stopped you.”
Adam enjoyed seeing his cousin in the hot seat for once.
Issy broke the growing tension with a happy laugh. “Neither of you are showin’ Amber the appreciation she deserves.” Issy smiled up at him. “Adam and I are gettin’ engaged, and I couldn’t be happier!”
“And before your head gets any bigger,” Adam said to Amber, “you only played the smallest of roles in it.”
“Small, but integral,” Amber countered, grabbing them both for hugs. “Now let’s go make that announcement!”
Noel caught her arm before she could take a single step away. “Since you already know what’s going on, you don’t need to be there.” Ignoring her protests, he urged her into the room they’d just vacated, and right before he closed the door, he said to Adam, “Congrats to you both.”
Surprised, Adam stared at the closed door, and slowly smiled.
“She deserves to be happy,” Issy whispered.
They both heard Amber say, “Now wait just a—” Then her voice faded into a soft hum.
“She does,” Adam agreed. “I’d say Noel has her well on her way.” Putting a hand to the small of Issy’s back, he led her out front. The sooner everyone knew Isabella’s changed circumstances, the sooner he could relax.
And then they could get started on their future.
* * * * *