Page 67 of Tempting the Heart

We walked over to my truck and slid the boards in. They stuck out the back, but we weren’t going but a few miles across the island.

“Thanks for planning this, Mae. It was a lot of fun.”

“There’s more like it tomorrow.”

“Oh, yeah?”

She nodded. “Unless you’re busy. You know, hanging out with Bethany or something.”

I chuckled and leaned against the truck. “You’re kidding, right?”

Mae winked at me. “Of course I’m kidding. You wouldn’t be that much of an idiot because you know I’d hunt you down.”

“And then what?”

“You’d just have to wait and see.”

She leaned over and kissed me, letting her hands fall along my chest. Her touch was like putting my finger into an electrical socket. Every cell in my body heated. All I could think about was kissing her again.

But before I had the chance, she gave a little wave and went to her car. “See ya at the house. Try not to get lost.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep up.”

“For now, but we’ll see how long it lasts.”

Chapter Nineteen

Mae

“I’ve always been jealous of people who could grow lavender,” I said, twisting my fingers with his.

“Really? You’re not into big mansions or designer clothes? Just someone who can grow a good crop of lavender.” His smile deepened, and I noticed a few lines leading away from his eyes. He was handsome and nearly twenty years older than when he’d said goodbye so long ago. Yet, it felt like yesterday.

But I knew to only take things a day at a time. It was great that he extended his stay for another week, but I knew I couldn’t count on anything beyond that.

What I had planned, however, ought to make his time here pleasant. I’d recruited my siblings to take his dad to his appointments this week. It wasn’t a selfless move. My hope was to get Tyler to enjoy the island and forget about his parents, show him that he can build a life here without feeling like he was tied to them.

And maybe he’d extend his stay a little longer.

I nodded. “I can grow anything.Anything. But not lavender. The stuff croaks on me. Within weeks, it always dies. First, it wilts, then turns crunchy. I love the stuff, too. I haveall these fancy notions of picking the herb and making soaps, baking with it, or whatever.”

“I learn something new about you every day.”

“What can I say? I’m like an onion without being stinky.”

I unlinked my fingers from him as we wandered along a pathway leading to the small farm store.

“I’m amazed at all the changes over the years,” he said, glancing at me. “Marigold Island is really special.”

I nodded in agreement. “Twenty years ago, the little island wouldn’t have been able to support my coffee shop. Now? Cafés, shops, and pubs flourish. Tiny farms pop up with festivals. It’s awesome. Hey, did I tell you that Amelia is with James Edwards now?”

“You mean the rich family that owned the orchard? Didn’t she throw something at that kid that made him cry?”

I chuckled and shook my head. “I don’t remember him crying, but something like that.”

“I don’t believe it. They were all so… reclusive. Sure, the grandparents opened up their orchards for community festivals now and again, but I never even really ran into the kid.” His gaze caught mine. “Is he nice?”

I nodded. “Amelia is so in love with him, and he has a little boy.”

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