Imagining Love on Willow Road (Island County Series Book 13), Page 2

  “I very well might have to flee.” I nodded, and Ashley tilted her head slightly.

  “Why’s that?”

  “Maddie and Chance set me up with someone. I have a date tonight with a complete stranger, and that didn’t seem to worry either of them.”

  “Does the guy live on the island?” she asked.

  I nodded. “Supposedly, he lives here.”

  “Well, maybe this date is exactly what you needed,” she offered.

  “Only time will tell.” I brought my gaze back to hers. “Besides, you’re headed back to Montana in two weeks, so you’re essentially abandoning me.”

  She chuckled and agreed. “Sooner, if I can get my cousin all settled in at the house.”

  “Your cousin? Does that mean I’ll have a new best friend to replace you? Is she nice?”

  “She is a he.” Ashley let out a sigh and glanced toward main street. “And he’s supposed to get here today, but he’s not the most reliable guy in the world.”

  “Oh, it’s a he?” I wiggled my brows, and she laughed. “Maybe I can try dating him after tonight’s date fails.”

  Ashley laughed. “That’s the spirit. But I can guarantee that you’ll want to stay far away from Walker.” She eyed me cautiously as my heart skipped a beat.

  I knew a Walker once. He was complete trouble.

  I cocked my head and laughed. “Is that a threat or a warning?”

  She chuckled. “Both.”

  I smiled. “How bad can your cousin be if he’s related to you?”

  She clipped her dark hair back and stretched her legs out in front of her.

  “You know all the men and relationships back in Portland that you told me about?”

  I nodded.

  “It would be like stepping into all of that all over again but rolled up into one man.”

  I laughed and shook my head. “No man could be that bad. Besides, why is he coming to Fireweed?”

  Ashley’s smile widened. “To escape.”

  “Ah. I see. Just like me.”

  “Well, he’s got more baggage than—”

  I folded my arms across my chest and chuckled when I noticed she wasn’t continuing her thought.

  “Is he good-looking?” I prompted.

  “He’s my cousin. I don’t know.” She brought her legs back into her chest and yawned. “But maybe you should choose Hound Island.”

  “Why? Because your cousin will be on Fireweed?”

  Ashley laughed. “How’d you guess?”

  “Don’t you worry. Go back to Montana and concentrate on being a newlywed. I don’t have time to date. I rarely get two days off in a row. I usually crawl into bed well after midnight. And . . .” I twisted my mouth into a scowl. “I’m not sure everyone is meant for love. I’m enjoying getting my act together.” I glanced down at my phone to check the time. “And on that note, I don’t want to miss my hair appointment.”

  She grinned. “I love the streaks, by the way.”

  I ran my fingers through my hair and glanced toward town. “I do too. Shannon does such a good job. She’s way better than the colorist I had in Portland. She gets me.”

  I’d always loved doing crazy things with my hair. When I was younger, I usually poured magenta over my brown hair so I glowed in the sunlight. But since leaving my twenties, I tried to be a tad more subdued, and my latest look involved chunky blonde strips layered on my dark hair. My dad teased me that I looked like a zebra, but I didn’t care. I loved it.

  “Hey, Ashley.” From a distance, a man’s voice boomed through the air. “Is that you?”

  Ashley’s eyes connected with mine. “That’s him. What do you know? He actually remembered that I said I’d be at the park this afternoon.”

  I chuckled and shook my head, wishing the gruffness in his voice wasn’t tempting to investigate. There was an edge to his tone, a sexy edge.

  A kind of edge I loved back in Portland and always got hurt by.

  I didn’t bother turning around and stared at the water as Ashley stood and stretched. “Have fun at the salon and be sure to tell me how your blind date goes. I’ll see ya around.”

  I nodded as she gave me a quick hug before trundling off to meet her cousin.

  As their voices drifted away, I thought about the Walker I knew.

  I’d met him when I was just a kid, and my life was never the same.

  It probably sounded odd, but it was true. I’d been in school headed down one path, and then Walker completely turned me around.

  Or I turned myself.

  Either way, I owed him a lot and nothing at all.

  So Ashley was safe because that Walker had tainted me for all other Walkers.

  I chuckled to myself and happily thought about being so young and naive as I walked to the salon. I was happy to be out of my teens and twenties. Not that my thirties had been all sunshine and rainbows, but I was looking forward to growing as a person.

  When I walked inside, Shannon was cleaning her workstation. The faint smells of hairspray and fruity shampoo filled the air.

  Her eyes connected with mine, and she smiled. “The hottest guy I’ve ever seen just walked by the window with Ashley.” Shannon held her broom still and wiggled her brows. “But why do you look so serious? Are you okay?”

  “She says he’s off-limits. His name is Walker. And yes, I’m wonderful. Just got all wrapped up in my head again.”

  Shannon whistled and laughed. “You really shouldn’t go there.”

  I rolled my eyes and chuckled. “I’m beginning to realize that. I honestly don’t think self-reflection is all it’s cracked up to be.”

  Ever since I’d left Oregon and somewhat settled down on the islands just off Washington’s coast, I’d wondered if the slower life was meant for me. I kept feeling like I was missing out on something, but I couldn’t put my finger on what.

  I was just grateful that one of my best friends, Chance Harlen, owned a few restaurants on the islands up here, and he offered me a job I couldn’t refuse.

  He also recognized that I needed a break from my old life, and maybe Maddie seemed to recognize the same, which was why I suddenly had a dinner date with a man who offered good sleep to the masses.

  “One thing I know is that life has a bad habit of working out how it should.” She grinned. “Now, do you want the same color or something new?”

  “I think I’ll do the same as I have.” I sat down in the chair as she shook the large black cape over me and snapped it.

  “I’ll go grab the stuff, and I’ll be right back. Make yourself at home.” She started toward the color station and stopped. “Do you want any tea or anything?”

  “That sounds great.” I nodded as I pulled out my phone from my purse.

  “What flavor?”

  “Surprise me. Maybe something that will keep me up.”

  Shannon walked over to the counter with coffee and tea and began making me a cup.

  “Why do you need caffeine today? Long night at the restaurant?” she asked across the room.

  “No. I’m actually off, but my soon to be ex-best friend and his wife set me up on a blind date tonight.”

  She dunked the tea bag in the cup of hot water. “Ooh, do tell.”

  “Not much to say. Maddie got talked into a mattress she didn’t need and somehow managed to book a date for me with the guy who sold it to her.”

  Shannon laughed. “Sounds about right. Maddie has a heart of gold.”

  “She does.” I nodded in agreement. “And so does her husband, which is the only reason I’m meeting this guy tonight.”

  “Do you know anything about him?”

  “Nope. Maddie is going to text me more info in a couple of hours, but until then, not a single thing other than that he sells mattresses.”

  Shannon pushed her lips into a frown. “Interesting.”

  She handed me the cup of tea, and I took a sip. “This hits the spot.”

  “Maddie created custom tea for me that has an extra kick and
even packaged it in tea bags for me instead of loose.”

  “It’s amazing.” I shut my eyes and took another sip.

  “Are you even looking to date?” Shannon asked.

  Shannon grabbed some foils and rolled the cart over after mixing the color. “I kind of got the impression you were over men for the time being.”

  I laughed. “As in forever.”

  “Poor guy.” Shannon sighed. “He won’t ever have a chance.”

  Shannon continued to dab and foil my head until I looked like a tinfoil porcupine.

  “Probably not, but I’m trying to remain optimistic and be open to the universe. If the right man suddenly appears in front of me, I’m not going to run away.” I laughed. “At least, not at first.”

  “Good for you.” She grinned at me in the mirror before starting the coloring. “It’s always a good idea to go with the flow.”

  I nodded. “Exactly.”

  “Do you know where you’re going for dinner?” she asked.

  “My guess is Mud Flats.”

  “Probably a good guess.” She laughed, folding a foil square.

  I’d always looked forward to my visits with Shannon. She was feisty, single, and rarely held a bit of gossip at the tip of her tongue.

  “Too bad about the new stranger in town.” Shannon let out a blissful sigh. “If Ashley says he’s off-limits, I guess I’ll respect it.” Shannon’s gaze connected with mine, and she winked. “When is she headed back to Montana?”

  “You’re awful,” I teased.

  “Well, my sister Erika just met someone.” She pressed her lips together. “I just hope she doesn’t get hurt like last time.”

  “And when was that?”

  Shannon looked toward the ceiling. “Well, my nephew is nearly a teenager, so . . .”

  I whistled and nodded. “I get it. She’s the bartender at Silver Ridge, right?” I asked. I didn’t know much about Shannon’s sister.

  Shannon nodded. “She’s had a rotten time of it, but she got the biggest gift out of her last failed relationship.”

  I nodded and glanced at the photo of Shannon’s nephew tucked into a frame.

  “Her son is the sweetest boy in the world and an amazing nephew,” she gushed.

  I smiled, seeing the love fill Shannon’s gaze.

  “Putting your heart out there is tough.” I grimaced. “It’s not my favorite thing to do.”

  “That’s why I never do, and this Walker character sounds like the fresh meat I need. I can use him and abuse him.”

  “Ew.” I puckered my lips. “That just sounds awful when you put it that way.”

  I smiled and nodded as she folded the last foil when I glimpsed Ashley in the mirror. She was across the street stepping into a café, but there was no sign of her mystery cousin.

  I let out a huff and pulled out my phone from my purse and checked for new messages.

  “Want a tea refill?” Shannon asked.

  By the time Shannon came back with the tea, some story about a dog that had run away from home had me completely immersed.

  Just as I raised my cup of tea, my elbow knocked into hers. The tea spilled down my cape, which rolled off the fabric and soaked the crotch of my pants.

  Shannon gasped, and I hopped up from the chair and danced and dabbed at my thighs, trying to make the burning stop.

  “Strip,” Shannon yelped. “Go outside, and I’ll hose you off with cold water.”

  Without thinking, I peeled my jeans off and dashed outside with nothing but the cape on as Shannon bent over and hooked up the hose she’d used to water her plants.

  I clenched my eyes as the sting of pain was quickly replaced with the icy chill of relief.

  “Any better?” she asked, and I nodded.

  It wasn’t until Shannon turned off the water and I slowly opened my eyes that I saw a group of patrons and customers congregating on the sidewalk across the street.

  I gave a quick wave and laughed, realizing the only thing the onlookers saw was the front of the drenched cape and two bare legs sticking out underneath.

  “Whatever you do, don’t turn around when you go back inside.” Shannon laughed. “Or Fireweed will get a view they never expected.”

  I chuckled and waved at the group of people across the street as I slowly backed up, careful not to let the cape flap as I walked backward.

  It wasn’t until the group of people slowly parted that I saw Ashley with her cousin making their way through the crowd.

  For the first time in fifteen years, I saw the man who’d changed my entire existence, and all I wanted to do was run.

  Chapter Three

  “What was that all about?” Shannon asked as I plunked back down in the salon chair, feeling like an apocalypse was right around the corner.

  “Can I borrow the hairdryer to blow dry my pants?”

  “How about I try a different method?” She picked up my jeans and took them to the back, where she tossed them into the dryer.

  When she returned, I finally answered.

  “Just saw someone I never thought I’d see again.” My eyes met Shannon’s, and she cocked her head slightly.

  I waved my hands in an attempt to dismiss the conversation, and she pushed away a grin from her lips before I closed my eyes.

  “What on earth is going on?” she asked.

  My heart was racing, and all I could think about was Walker Malone.

  He wasn’t merely as sexy as before.

  No, the gods wouldn’t be that kind to me.

  This male had to go and change into a grown man who was complete perfection. It only took one glimpse of him to wish I could have one more night with the man who’d changed me forever.

  And here I was, pantless and looking like someone who believed the aliens were coming with my tinfoil hat.

  I let out a deep breath to ground myself as my eyes fluttered open to see Shannon watching me with both hands on her hips.

  “I’ve never seen you like this.” Shannon’s brows rose. “You’re usually as cool as a cucumber, and right about now, it looks like you got sliced and diced on a mandolin. Your cheeks are bright red, and your eyes are . . .” She bit her lip. “Crazed. And my hunch is that it’s about to get a lot worse.”

  I laughed. “Oh, please. It’s not that bad. I’m excellent and just thankful I have a date to look forward to in a couple of hours. Thank you for putting my pants in the dryer.”

  Shannon chuckled. “Whatever you say, and no problem.” She stepped aside, and I saw my reflection in the mirror right before spotting Ashley and Walker making their way across the street.

  Shannon was right. I looked horrible, and it wasn’t having my hair wrapped in tinfoil that made me look the worst. My skin had somehow turned red and blotchy in a matter of minutes, and my eyes didn’t only look crazed, they looked dilated and glossy, and I swear I couldn’t catch a breath to save my life.

  I refused to look in the mirror again.

  “I have to hide. I can’t see him again. Not like this. I don’t even have pants on.” I shook my head as sweat began beading along my forehead. It felt like I’d stepped inside a sauna. Even my scalp was on fire. “Can you take the tinfoil out of my hair?”

  “I don’t think that would be a great idea.” Shannon shook her head and glanced behind me. “Mr. Hottie is about to step inside.”

  I groaned, and a shudder ran through me as I heard the door open behind me.

  “Hey, Harmony,” Ashley sang into the air. “My cousin says he knows you.”

  “Doubt it,” I muttered too quickly. “I have a common face.”

  Shannon’s brows wrinkled in confusion as she pointed at me. “But you said—”

  I shot Shannon a warning look, and she stifled a chuckle as Ashley stepped in front of me.

  “No.” Ashley smiled. “I think he has the right face. He knew your name.”

  “If it isn’t the one and only Harmony Badel.” Walker’s voice didn’t just project into the room. It coated eve
ry part of me with a desire I hadn’t felt since he’d walked out on me so many years before. “You always had a knack for livening things up in the world.”

  I refused to turn my head in his direction. I refused to look into his pale blue eyes that had done me in so many years ago.

  “Ashley, please tell me your cousin isn’t the infamous Walker Malone,” I muttered, staring at my lap.

  “Well, I could tell you that, but I’d be lying.” She beamed. “So, how do you two know each other?”

  “Maybe Ashley and I should step out for a minute for you two to catch up,” Shannon offered, and I scowled in her direction, careful not to catch Walker’s gaze.

  The last thing I needed or wanted was to be alone in a room with Walker Malone.

  “No need,” I assured her, even though my heart was beating a million times a second and I thought I’d pass out.

  “You look just like I remember,” Walker said, his voice low and delicious. “And you’re still managing to capture everyone’s attention.”

  Which only annoyed me more.

  All he had to do was step into a room, and I was instantly attracted.

  “Really? I’m surprised you remember me at all.” I still didn’t turn to look at him.

  “Let me guess.” Ashley’s brows rose. “My cousin broke your heart, and this is the first time you’ve seen him since.”

  I shrugged. “Close.”

  “Are you visiting the island?” Walker asked.

  “I live here.”

  “Harmony Badel? Living far away from it all?” Walker chuckled. “Wow. I never thought I’d see the day.”

  “You’re one to talk,” Ashley teased.

  Walker laughed, and I finally glanced in his direction. His loosely combed-back hair looked good on him. When a few dark strands escaped, he quickly combed them away with his fingers.

  His pale blue eyes connected with mine, and my breath caught as I swallowed down all of the emotions coming from nowhere.

  Feelings I’d hidden inside of me were roaring to life.

  Old ideas and dreams swirled around my mind, making me feel foolish and hopeful all in one thought.

  He was dressed casually in a pair of jeans and a thick black sweater that managed to cling to every part of him.