One Hundred Excuses (An Aspen Cove Romance Book 5) Read online

  “Fair warning,” he said. “The names are crazy, but the ice cream is good. Although it might say ants or poop or something insane in the description, there really isn’t anything gross in the mix.”

  There were three flavors available.

  Honeycomb Your Hair, which was bits of honeycombs in vanilla ice cream served in a bowl of cotton candy.

  Beds Bugs, which was chocolate ice cream with chocolate covered peanuts, drizzled with caramel syrup.

  Princess and the Pooper, which was rainbow sherbet sprinkled with Pop Rocks and a dollop of fudge.

  “How fun,” Marina said. She turned to Kellyn, who was still in Aiden’s arms. Mrs. Beasley hung from her hand, the tiny yellow feet of the doll almost hitting the ground. “Do you want hair, bugs, or poop?”

  Her tiny face scrunched up as if they all sounded awful. Listing the names the way she had made them sound appalling.

  “I’ll have the Honeycomb Your Hair,” Marina said.

  “I’m all over the Bed Bugs,” Aiden added.

  As a four-year-old, it was probably hard for Kellyn to separate real from fake.

  “Tell you what, let’s get all three flavors and share. Kellyn can have the first bite and decide which she likes the best. If there’s one she falls in love with, it’s all hers. If not, we can share. I don’t mind sharing my Bed Bugs.”

  Marina appreciated his diplomacy. “Sounds great.”

  “What’s it going to be?” the old man in the window asked. His eyes grew wide in recognition when Aiden stepped up. “Sheriff Cooper, I didn’t know you had a family.”

  Aiden looked at Marina and Kellyn. He didn’t correct the man. He simply smiled. “Hey, Sam, my girls want ice cream, and so we’ll have one of each.”

  “Extra ants?” Sam asked.

  When no one answered, Aiden said, “Sure, we love ants.”

  Marina carried two of the bowls while Aiden carried Kellyn and the third bowl to the picnic table. He got Kellyn and Mrs. Beasley settled before he rounded the table and sat by Marina.

  He handed out spoons. “Okay, on the count of three dig into the one that looks best. One…two…three.”

  The spoons flew through the air to the center of the table with both Marina and Aiden digging into the Bed Bugs while Kellyn went for the Princess and the Pooper.

  Marina swallowed a bite and groaned. “Oh my God, I never thought I’d say I want more bed bugs.”

  Kellyn scooped up a bite of the chocolate and hummed. It was the first time she’d made a sound in months. Marina thought she’d heard her whisper to her doll occasionally, but she never spoke or made a peep in front of a person. The unexpected sound filled her heart with happiness.

  Once they finished their ice cream, Aiden took them back to Aspen Cove and to Hope Park. They played with Kellyn until their stomachs grumbled for something more substantial. They left Aiden’s car by the park and walked hand in hand to Maisey’s Diner.

  For a Saturday the place was busy, but Maisey had an open booth in the corner.

  “Hey, y’all, I’d recommend the blue plate special if you want to eat this year,” she said. “It’s chicken-fried steak, mashed taters and gravy.” She looked at Kellyn. “You look like a grilled cheese and tater-tot kind of gal to me. Sound good?”

  “Perfect for me and Kellyn.” Marina turned toward Aiden. “What about you?”

  “I love Maisey’s chicken-fried steak. Sold!”

  The best thing about the blue-plate specials was there was never a wait. Their meals arrived quickly.

  Marina put her napkin in her lap. “You know so much about us, Aiden. What about you?”

  He swallowed the bite he was chewing. “Not much to tell. I’m an only child. My father was a good man. Also a police officer.”

  “Was?”

  “Yes, He was a thirty-year veteran of the Colorado Springs Police Department. Made it to retirement and died a week after when a drunk driver hit him head-on.”

  “Oh God, Aiden. I’m so sorry.”

  Aiden sipped his soda. “I’m a lucky man.” He looked at Kellyn. “My father was wonderful and an excellent role model, and I had him for the most important years of my life. He lives inside me each day, whispering words of wisdom.”

  “How’d you get here from Colorado Springs?”

  “Lucky, I guess. I got shot. Should have been a simple speeding ticket, but it wasn’t. There was a stolen car and a chase.” He rubbed his right shoulder. “I had a girlfriend, and she found comfort with another—my partner.”

  “Oh, no.” She leaned into him and wrapped her hands around his arm. His was solid, muscular, and his strength felt good under her fingertips.

  “It was a good lesson. Probably not as physically painful as yours, but it hurt. I didn’t want a constant reminder each time I walked into the precinct, so I healed and found another opportunity. I’ve been here and happy ever since. Aspen Cove is exactly where I want to be.”

  They finished their meal while talking about the town, its residents, and the recent growth. Aiden took his wallet out and paid. She wanted to offer to help, but she knew he’d never allow it, and her resources were limited.

  On their way back to the car, she stopped at the vacant beauty shop to look in the whitewashed windows.

  “You should see if you can open this place again. The town can use someone with your skills.”

  Marina laughed. “I can barely pay my rent. There’s no way I’d be able to lease an entire shop.”

  “You’d be surprised at how generous this town can be.” Rather than walk to the park, he led them to the bakery, where Katie was getting ready to close the doors. “Wait up. We’ve got a wall wish.”

  Katie held the door open while the three of them filled out sticky notes and stuck them to the board that read The Wishing Wall. Marina opened Kellyn’s because she was curious to see what her daughter had put on her paper. In the center was a heart. One single heart that told Marina Kellyn’s was healing. She didn’t dare look at Aiden’s. His wish was his own, but hers said she needed clients.

  They arrived at her house. Aiden removed the booster and put it back in Marina’s SUV. They stood on the front of her porch like shy teens. After a minute, he stepped back.

  “I had a great time today. One of the best since I came to town,” he said. He kneeled down in front of Kellyn. “Thanks for the date. We’ll plan another one soon.” He rose and leaned forward and gave Marina a kiss on the cheek. The heat of his lips touched her skin. It was a delicious burn that traveled to her heart.

  “Best date of my life, Aiden.” She looked down at her daughter. “I should get her bathed and in bed. She’s had a full day.”

  He turned and walked to his house.

  She watched him until he disappeared inside.

  “Let’s go, Ladybug. It’s a bath and a bedtime story for you.” She went through their nightly routine with a smile on her face. Poor Kellyn only made it halfway through Goodnight Moon when her heavy lids closed.

  Marina was in the kitchen when her phone rang. As soon as she saw the mayor’s number, she considered not answering, but ignoring his call would be like poking a bear.

  “Hello,” she answered.

  “Hello, Marina. It’s me again.”

  The anger at hearing Craig’s voice scorched her insides. They roiled and rumbled until the acid rose to burn her throat. “Craig, you’re not—”

  “Shh, don’t say it,” he warned. “I’ve missed you, and I’d like to see my daughter.”

  She knew she couldn’t trust the Caswells. They’d broken their first agreement. He’d called from his father’s line. It was his way of proving no one could control him.

  “You can’t call me.”

  “But I did, and there’s nothing you can do.”

  He was right because nothing in the restraining order prohibited Mayor Caswell from calling. It was her word against theirs. “Tell your father thank you,” she said with sarcasm.

  “I will when we have brea
kfast tomorrow. We’ll miss you, but I want you to bring Kellyn.”

  She hated the Sunday breakfasts she’d been forced to endure while she’d been married. “That’s not part of the agreement.”

  “I want a new agreement. If you recall, I didn’t actually have a say in the last agreement. Decisions were made for me.”

  “There won’t be a new agreement. Leave me alone.”

  There was a moment of silence before he said, “I’ll never leave you alone. By the way, how is Aspen Cove treating you? Cute little place you got. Looks like tenement housing.”

  Her heart tumbled into the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t listen to another word. She hung up and raced to the back porch to get fresh air and space. She was close to a panic attack and possibly a complete mental breakdown. A good cry was seconds away, and she refused to wake Kellyn and fill her world with worry.

  She sat on the top step, buried her head in her hands, and wept. How could a day go from heaven to hell so fast?

  Chapter Twelve

  Aiden stepped onto his back porch with a beer in his hand and a smile on his face. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d had so much fun. Every minute he spent with Marina and Kellyn was better than the last.

  She appreciated everything he did while his ex had appreciated nothing until it was gone.

  He leaned over the deck rail and breathed in the night-blooming jasmine, its scent a perfect end to a sweet day.

  He heard her before he saw her. A muffled cry came from Marina’s back steps. His initial response was to jump the fence and go to her rescue, but what if he’d caused her unhappiness? He ran the entire day through his head. There was nothing that should have caused her to cry.

  He set his beer on the two-by-four wood rail and made his way to the fence.

  “You okay?” he called out.

  Her head lifted from the curled-up ball she’d rolled herself into. She swiped at her cheeks and sat up.

  “Yes, I’m great.”

  Aiden knew what great looked like. It was when her eyes danced with joy. When she smiled at eating ice cream called Bed Bugs and when Kellyn let him pick her up. That was great. Her sitting on the back stairs alone with a stream of tears running down her cheeks was nowhere close.

  He hopped the fence and walked to where she sat on the step, taking up the space beside her. While he wanted to pull her into his arms, he didn’t want to overstep his boundaries.

  “You want to talk about it?”

  She swallowed hard. “Not really.”

  “Is Kellyn okay?” He placed his hand on her back and moved his palm in a slow circle.

  “She’s asleep. She had the best day. I swear I even heard her giggle a time or two.” She shook while she tried to control the next bout of tears.

  “Hey.” Damn the distance. “Come here and let me hold you.” He opened his arms and prayed she fell into them. When she did, he wrapped her in a hug. “Let me help you.”

  She cried for a few minutes. A few jagged breaths later, she began. “He won’t leave me alone.”

  Anger as hot as lava boiled inside him. He didn’t need a name to know who she was talking about. “What happened?”

  “He called.” She scooted closer.

  She was inches from sitting in his lap. God, he wanted to pull her there.

  “That breaks his restraining order. I can have him arrested.”

  She sat up and pushed away. Fear was written all over her face. “No. He’s smarter than that. He used his father’s phone. He wants to see Kellyn.”

  That was the last thing Kellyn needed. He’d watched her bloom and grow over the short time she’d been here. Seeing her father would no doubt cause the little newfound spark of happiness to wither and die.

  “What did you tell him?”

  She laid her head against his chest and took in a big breath. “I told him no.”

  “That’s my girl.” He hugged her tightly. She needed to know she wasn’t alone in this. “Hold your ground.”

  “He knows I’m in Aspen Cove. He knows where I live.” Her voice cracked, ready to break into a sob once more.

  “That’s okay. I won’t let him hurt you or Kellyn again.” He took a chance and lifted her into his lap so he could hold her. “I’ve got you.” He buried his nose in her hair and breathed in her tropical shampoo. “It’s going to be okay.”

  She nodded against his chest and stayed in his arms. The ragged breaths turned even and slowed.

  “Where did you come from, Aiden?”

  “Colorado Springs.”

  She pulled back to look at him. Her fingers traced the design on his T-shirt. “No, I mean how did you turn out to be such a nice guy?”

  He chuckled. “Am I?” His hands rubbed her arms to keep her warm.

  “The nicest. Where were you two years ago?”

  “I was right here waiting for you. You’re late.” He lifted a hand to her chin. “Where were you?”

  “I was living in hell.”

  Aiden smiled and leaned in. He couldn’t help himself. He brushed his lips tentatively across hers. “Welcome to heaven, baby.” He thumbed the remaining tears from her cheeks. It killed him that Craig had taken the smile he’d left earlier and turned it into a frown. “Can I kiss you?”

  She looked at him like he was speaking in tongues. “You just did.”

  “Oh, Marina. That wasn’t a kiss.”

  She squirmed in his lap, which made the desire he felt for her hard to hide. Then again, he wanted their relationship to start with honesty and his body responded truthfully.

  “Why do you like me? I’m a mess.”

  “You’re a beautiful mess with an amazing daughter. I like everything about you.” He readjusted her on his lap, hoping to make them both more comfortable. “And look what you do to me.”

  She shifted her hips until his length pressed against the back of her thigh. “Oh my. I’m not—”

  “I’m not asking for anything but a kiss, and if you say no, I’ll wait until I can convince you I’m kiss-worthy.”

  She looked at the garden and then to the swing. “You’re already kiss-worthy.”

  He stared at her lips. “I didn’t do those things because I expected something in return. I did them for me because it makes me feel good to make you smile. I want you to kiss me because you want to, not because you feel obligated to pay for my kindness. My kindness is free, Marina. No strings attached.”

  She brushed her finger across his lower lip.

  He wanted to open his mouth and suck it inside, but he stayed still. Holding Marina was like holding a bird with an injured wing. There was no doubt she’d heal and be able to fly again. It was a matter of how much nurturing she’d need before she tried.

  “What about your kisses? Are they free too?” she asked.

  “Only for you.”

  “You charge everyone else?”

  He tugged her closer, leaving his hands on her hips. She was perfect in his arms. He knew her kisses would be magical on his lips. “Now that would be illegal, and I walk the line on the side of the law. Nope, these lips have decided they want your kisses. What do you say?”

  She cupped his face with her palm. In her eyes were a thousand emotions, but the one most recognizable was desire. “I say kiss me.”

  He’d hoped that would be her answer, but he hadn’t expected it. He wanted their first kiss to be special. He framed her face with his hands. “You’re beautiful.” He thumbed the small scar on her cheek. “There’s something about you that speaks to my heart and soul.”

  She leaned forward. Her lips were a breath away from his. “I don’t know how to do this anymore.”

  He dropped his hand to her breastbone. “Trust your heart. Trust me. Ask me for anything, and I’ll always give you more.”

  “Kiss me,” she whispered.

  He slid his hand behind her neck to support the back of her head.

  Boom.

  Boom.

  Boom.

  His heart
beat like a drum. When his fingers threaded softly through her hair, his lips touched hers. The kiss was soft until she pulled him closer to deepen it.

  Her mouth opened with a moan as his tongue dipped inside to taste her honeyed sweetness. Nothing had ever been this right.

  Aiden had kissed plenty of women in his lifetime but none had made his heart twist and tighten in the process. None had made his stomach flip and flop. None had made him want to climb mountains or slay dragons. That’s exactly what Marina’s kiss did to him. It made him want to do whatever it took to protect her.

  His fingers itched to feel her body, but for tonight a kiss would have to be enough. They separated to catch a breath and pressed their lips together again. Marina was a passionate woman denied for far too long.

  He moaned when they parted again.

  She reached up to touch her lips like somehow the kiss had changed them. “You should charge for those kisses. You could make a fortune.”

  His heart picked up a beat. “You like my kisses?”

  She nodded. “Might be the best kiss of my life.”

  “Might be?” He wanted to leave her with a solid opinion, not a maybe. “Better give it another whirl. I want you to be certain.”

  This time the kiss was deeper, longer, and more passionate. His tongue floated across hers like he was savoring every second, which he was. Kissing Marina would by far be his favorite pastime. When the kiss ended, and they looked at each other, he saw that he’d replaced her sadness with hope.

  She sat back and stared at him. “Verdict is in. That was by far the best kiss I’ve ever had.”

  He gave her a quick peck on the lips. “I’m not even warmed up yet.”

  She shivered. “Neither am I.” The goose bumps covering her arms showed how cold she was.

  As much as he didn’t want her to leave, he knew she needed to get warm. “You should go inside.”

  The look on her face said she’d rather stay out here and freeze.