CHAPTER SEVEN
The butterflies had turned into full-sized eagles.
Casey stood in front of her full-length mirror chewing her lip.
Her bedroom resembled a war zone. It looked as if a bomb had exploded in her closet. Clothes were strewn everywhere: There were dresses hanging from tops of doorways, pants and tops were flung carelessly across her bed and dresser, even her underwear drawer was hanging open, drunkenly spilling its contents onto the floor at its base.
Casey was regarding herself contemplatively in yet another outfit when she spied, out of the corner of her eye, the clothing on the bed begin to move.
It wiggled and rolled and…meowed? A long orange tail sprang loose from the weight of the sweater that was pressing it down. A small pink nose sniffed the air near a pair of cotton pants. The sweater quivered, shook…and pounced! Tigger’s body was momentarily visible as he leapt free of the sweater to viciously attack the cotton pants. He disappeared quickly as, quarry subdued, he once again burrowed into a new hiding place.
“Get out of there, you stupid animal.” Casey turned from the mirror and dug through the clothing to find the cat. Finding him she picked him up and stared him straight in the eye. “You don’t hunt clothing. You hunt mice and squirrels and birds. Got that?”
Tigger just stared at her blankly.
They had had this conversation many times before. Tigger seemed to feel all animals were friends to be played with while anything that belonged to Casey was the enemy and needed to be eradicated from the apartment. There were many times she had come home to find a piece of her underwear in the middle of the living room floor mangled beyond identification. The cat was a menace! But she loved him anyway. She would be the first to admit her taste in men hadn’t always been even half as good.
Casey placed Tigger on the sandstone colored rug and turned to complete her dressing. He rolled over onto his back and watched her coldly; at least she thought it was coldly, it was hard to tell with him in that position.
Finally, she decided that the forest green pantsuit she had on was probably the most appropriate for the day. It was classy, yet not too formal and was not too dressy for the bookstore. It was a bit smarter than her usual t-shirt and jeans but unlike a dress would still allow her to climb the shelves and do whatever needed to be done. She also liked the way it set off her emerald eyes and made her hair glow with burnished gold highlights.
Looking at her bedside clock, she gave a sigh of relief. All dressed and she still had some time before she had to leave for work. She added a bit of color to her eyelids and smudged on some lipstick. She had more than enough time to grab a frappaccino from the corner Starbucks before she had to get in to open her own shop. Picking up her briefcase, she headed out to the car.
Casey sipped her frappaccino blissfully as she unlocked the Reading Room door. She didn’t consider frequenting Starbucks for their iced coffees to be a conflict of interest. True, her shop also sold coffee but they weren’t set up for the iced drinks and besides it wasn’t really their main business. She usually attempted to hide the cup from Michael anyway. Not that she had a guilty conscience… but he tended to give her hell, said it was bad publicity. Sometimes she wondered who was the owner and who was the assistant around here.
Her contemplation of coffees and assistants had taken her mind off her lunch date. She was almost calm by the time the first customer entered the store.
That wasn’t the case a couple of hours later when, for the third time in fifteen minutes, she dropped a stack of books.
“Casey, take a break or something!” Michael suggested forcefully. His ponytail swung in agitation as he stood over her, his hands on his denim-clad hips.
“No, No, I’m fine.” Casey protested from her position on the floor.
“You are not fine. That’s the third time you’ve dropped a stack of books. And twice you nearly spilled coffee on a customer in the reading room. I’m surprised you managed to get their order right in the first place.” Michael gestured impatiently. “I know you’re the boss, but today you’re doing more harm than good. Why don’t you go freshen up and do some paperwork or something until the big date arrives?” He reached down to help Casey up off the floor.
“I am a bit of a wreck aren’t I?” Casey smiled apologetically. “OK, it’s not too busy today. I guess you’ll be alright without me.” She acquiesced, grasped his hand and straightened up off the floor.
“Even if it was busy I’d do better without you than with you.” He scoffed. “If it gets too busy later, I’ll just call in that girl…Annie?” At Casey’s nod, “That we’ve used once or twice before.”
“I know when I’ve been told.” Casey smiled lightly. “I’ll be right back.”
Casey entered the women’s washroom at the back of the reading room. Looking at herself in the mirror she was shocked to see what a wreck she looked. She pulled out her comb, tamed her curls and re-applied her lipstick. She didn’t usually wear any makeup and found it difficult to keep herself from chewing the lipstick off all day.
She’d have to watch that when she was with Andrew. His usual dates probably didn’t chew their lipstick. Or act as nervous as a schoolgirl when he came to pick them up, she scolded her reflection. But this wasn’t a normal date. At least not for her. That much was obvious from her reaction whenever he so much as looked at her. But then a normal date indicated something that happened often, and since Scott had dumped her so ruthlessly she could count on one hand…no, make that one finger, the number of dates she’d had.
Casey washed and dried her hands, gave herself a last quick look in the mirror and walked out into the bookstore.
He’s here! The panicked thought echoed loudly in her head as the washroom door swung shut behind her.
The two men at the front of the store interrupted their conversation to glance in Casey’s direction as the slamming of the ladies room door alerted them to her approach.
Michael’s face was openly smiling. Andrew’s…she couldn’t tell. It was if a wall had fallen down to hide his expression. She took a deep breath and approached the men.
“Hi, Andrew.” She smiled nervously. She was sure he’d said 12:30. According to the clock over the cash desk, it was only 11:45. She smiled at him uncertainly.
“Sorry I'm earlier than I said yesterday.” He apologized urbanely. “I was able to get last minute reservations at the Boat House. I meant to call but the girls were a handful this morning. Their dad is returning Saturday and the excitement level in that house is through the roof.” Andrew smiled charmingly. “Are you ready to go?”
“As a matter of fact I am.” Casey smiled at him, practically forgetting Michael’s existence as he watched the two of them amusedly. “I’ll just get my coat.”
“Don’t worry about me! I’ll be fine here alone!” Michael called after them as they departed.
Casey gave a vague wave in his direction and walked through the door Andrew held open for her.
They walked in companionable silence to the parking lot. Stopping at a metallic gold and green Jaguar, Andrew drew out his keys and unlocked the passenger door. “You look lovely today.” His breath grazed Casey’s cheek as he opened the door.
“Thank you.” Casey’s voice cracked. Andrew’s hand on the small of her back as he guided her into the car was doing odd things to her libido. Her skin felt hot and tingly where the heat of his hand warmed her skin. She felt like she was in a dream and any moment Tigger would pounce on her and wake her up.
She was still smiling at the thought of her cat hiding somewhere in the back seat when Andrew slid into the driver’s seat and put the key in the ignition. The car started with a roar.
He turned to look at her. “What are you smiling so brightly about?”
“My cat.” She answered without thinking, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
He shot her a surprised glance.
Feeling a little foolish she backtracked nervously. “Never mind…this is a beautiful ca
r. Is it yours?”
Andrew shot her a smilingly confused glance, put on his sunglasses and put the car in gear.
“No it’s a rental. I didn’t want my sister to be put out by my borrowing hers all the time.”
“It’s beautiful.” Casey said sincerely. It was a beautiful car: Leather interior, heated seats, and all sorts of extra bells and whistles. Casey didn’t know a lot about cars but knew an expensive one when she saw it. The temperature was self-regulated and there was a computer telling them which way to turn to get to the restaurant, even how to avoid the worst of the traffic. Casey had heard about this option of course but had never been in a car that had it installed. Her beat up little Escort certainly didn’t even compare.
Casey commented on the computerized navigation system and it turned into a lively discussion about the pros and cons of technological improvements over the last decade.
She was so engrossed in their conversation that she didn’t realize they had reached the restaurant until they pulled into a parking space. Andrew was a remarkably easy person to talk to once she got over her shyness, and as long as he didn’t get too close or touch her she could keep up her side of the conversation as well.
Andrew shut off the engine. The sudden silence was deafening. Casey could feel herself get nervous again.
“Ever been here before?” He asked turning in his seat to face her.
“No, I don’t think I have.” She turned to look out the car window pretending to consider the question. Her heart rate went into warp drive and she started having trouble controlling her breathing.
A hand reached out and Andrew wound a strand of her hair around his index finger. “You have incredible hair.” He murmured huskily, leaning closer. He removed his dark glasses with his other hand.
Casey stopped breathing completely; she was mesmerized by the predatory look in his eye and the golden head bending closer. He’s going to kiss me! She felt her heart rate speed up and her hands go clammy. The blood rushing through her head was deafening as he came closer still, blotting out the sun. She felt like a deer caught in a hunter’s spotlight. Casey shut her eyes; she wet her dry lips with the tip of her tongue.
Andrews kiss was warm and moist; he tasted of fresh mint mouthwash and smelled of musk, of clean fresh outdoors. The combination was heady. Casey moaned silently deep in her throat. She reached a hand out towards him and splayed one open palm on his sculpted chest. Her fingers tingled in remembrance of that first touch on the ski hill. As he slowly, almost reluctantly, pulled away from the embrace, Casey opened her eyes surprised to see she was still sitting in the car instead of floating up over the Sound.
“I hope I don’t need to apologize for that little Casey.” Andrew voice was gruff. He rubbed the pad of his thumb over her full lower lip. “I thought that if I got the kiss out of the way, we’d be able to stop thinking about it and enjoy our lunch.” His laugh as he pulled away was self-mocking. “I haven’t been able to get you out of my thoughts for days. Even so, I may have underestimated your power.” He cupped her cheek in his palm. “But here is neither the time, nor the place.” Andrew tweaked her nose. “Let’s go have lunch.” He turned and opened his door.
Casey was still stunned. She watched him go and tried to pull herself together. She'd been so deep she'd even forgotten to be afraid.
Wow.
By the time Andrew opened her door she felt a little bit more in control. She smoothed her hair and accepted the hand Andrew offered. Her confused gaze met his as he closed the door behind her. He smiled and, placing a hand on the small of her back, escorted her into the restaurant.
As they left the bright sunshine behind it took Casey a few moments for her eyes to react to the comparative darkness of the building. When the formally clad Maitre d’ escorted them to their table her retinas had finally adjusted and she was able to look around her in awe. The place was unbelievable.
Casey sank into the chair Andrew held out for her.
Their eyes met and he smiled slightly. “What do you think?” Pulling out his own chair, he leaned back and picked up the wine list. He continued to watch her over the top of it. Now only the teasing sparkle in his eyes was visible.
“It’s an incredible location, and the wood work and the fantastic decorations…. I mean just look at the size of those timbers.” Her voice was awed as she gazed above them to the rough-hewn timbers that were at least twice as big as any tree in existence today. “I had no idea this place was here.” She directed her gaze outside and, with a wave of one arm, indicated the warehouses that could barely be seen through the plate glass window. “This is the last area in town that I would expect a restaurant of this caliber to be located.”
Andrew leaned forward and placed his forearms on the table. “From what I understand it’s been here for years. I believe it actually started out life as a cannery and was transformed into a restaurant when crab fishing began to dry up in this area in the mid 1900’s.” His eyes crinkled. “I wouldn’t quote me on that, if I were you. My sister was the one to share that tale with me and I’m not sure how accurate she is.”
Casey smiled back. “I won’t.” She unfolded her napkin and placed it on her lap. “So…. Do you live with your sister? I don’t mean to pry but you only mentioned her address for the incident report. I mean…” Suddenly realizing how personal the question was she fumbled to a stop.
“No I’m just visiting for a couple of weeks. I’m probably taking off again in a few days. Vancouver’s a great place but I’m planning a quick trip to Barbados and warm sunny beaches, before I have to get back to Chicago and work.”
Disappointment shafted through Casey like a spear through armor. At least she knew now. This wouldn’t be a happily ever after scenario. He was visiting. Short term. No strings. He wouldn’t need to warn her twice.
“So, you’re a Canadian living in the States.”
“Mmm hmm. I’m down there on a company-sponsored green card. The company I work for is based in Chicago. At the moment I live there but that could change at any time.” He shrugged. “I get transferred around a lot, different jobs, different responsibilities. I enjoy the challenge.”
“What do you do?”
“I’m VP of Marketing for IEC Equipment at the moment.” He shrugged as if he’d just said he was the janitor for the local high school. “It’s a job. Long hours, lots of travel, decent pay.”
“Don’t you find it hard, not being anywhere long enough to put down any roots?” Casey shook her head incomprehensively. “I’ve been here 6 years and I love it. I couldn’t imagine leaving anytime soon. Where else on earth can you ski in the morning and sail in the afternoon.” She chuckled, gazing fondly at the North Shore Mountains barely visible over the water.
“Not many.” Andrew agreed dryly. “Actually I thoroughly enjoy the moving. It’s a great way to see the world and it keeps the work interesting. I deal with different people who have diverse ways of looking at things all the time. It’s fascinating.”
Casey shook her head. “I see enough different people, in some cases extremely different,” she wrinkled her nose, “through my store in one day. I’d hate having to look for a new place to live every couple of years. It’s taken me all this time to finally find something in this city I’d be willing to actually purchase. It’ll be a while before I can afford the down-payment so I just have to hope the market starts getting a bit softer.” She laughed ruefully. “At the moment it’s a rental property that the owners would be more than happy to sell to anyone interested in making a reasonable offer. I just have to keep my fingers crossed and count my pennies for a while.” She held up her right hand showing him the crossed fingers.
Andrew reached across the table and cupped her crossed fingers between his warm, strong hands. Casey’s heart did a little flip.
“It sounds nice. Maybe we can do a drive by before I leave and you can show it to me.” His voice was casual.
Casey went weak at the knees. She hadn’t dared
even think about what would happen after this date. Now she had to seriously consider there may even be a second, or a third? Her blood started pumping a little faster. Then cooled quickly. He was only here for a few more days, a week or two at the most. Her feelings for him were strong already. How would she feel if she kept seeing him and then he left? Would the fire burn out naturally, or would she be picking up the shards of her broken heart and trying to pull her life together again?
Andrew glanced down at their entwined hands. “I hope you can uncross these long enough to enjoy lunch.” He teased. “It might be difficult to pick up your fork otherwise.” He smiled and released her hand.
“House hunting is something I really don’t have to worry about.” He continued their earlier conversation.
At her questioning look he explained: “My Company organizes everything from the packing to the unpacking and everything in between. They even pick where I should live and arrange all the necessary paperwork.”
The wine steward arrived with their drinks: A local microbrewery beer for Andrew and a dry white wine for Casey.
“That sounds almost…cold.” Casey reproached him. She turned to smile her thanks at the wine steward. He bowed in response.
“It’s just easiest.” Andrew nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. “I’m too busy to look and I’m at home very seldom anyway, so it works out the best for everyone.” He picked up his menu. “Enough about housing problems.” He smiled at Casey as he opened to the lunch page. “Have you decided what you would like to eat? I understand the blackened catfish is delicious.” He bent his head to study the menu.
Casey watched the sunlight reflect off his hair for a moment before glancing at her own menu. “Catfish?” She lifted her head, a suspicious look in her eye. “Isn’t that a type of ground-feeder? Yuck.” She wrinkled her nose delicately. “I think I’ll stick with the salmon.”
Andrew’s look was affronted. “Hey, it’s a delicacy in the Midwest.”
Casey’s snort was not very ladylike. “The Midwest is welcome to it.”
“I’ll be sure to let them know.” Andrew’s eyes twinkled. “Are you ready to order?”
At her nod, Andrew signaled for the waiter, hovering just out of Casey’s range of vision, to come over.
Andrew let her order first then placed his own order and included a bottle of champagne. “To celebrate my recovery.” He smiled.
At this rate she was going to be too tipsy to be any use at all at the bookstore this afternoon, she thought and then shrugged off the niggling guilt she felt. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a leisurely lunch, and particularly not with such an incredible man.
“How are you feeling, now? You don’t seem to be suffering too many effects of the accident.”
Andrew shrugged nonchalantly. “I feel great.” His smile was self-mocking. “I won’t be running any marathons soon and it still hurts a bit when I laugh, but otherwise I’m as good as new. See?” He held his arms wide.
Casey got a good look at his muscular physique. She blushed and lowered her head. At this rate she’d be attacking him over the table before dessert was even served.
The rest of the lunch passed in a blur.
“Dessert?” Andrew inquired as she finished the last bite of her grilled salmon.
“Oh no! I couldn’t, I think I’m going to pop as it is.” Casey protested, wiping her mouth with the edge of her napkin and setting it down on the table. “Besides,” She sighed, “I really have to be getting back. I’ve been gone long enough.”
“Of course. I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. I just expect the entire world to be on holiday when I am.” He pulled out his billfold and signaled to their waiter.
Casey watched as he paid the bill leaving a more than substantial tip. At least he’s not a skinflint; she smiled inwardly. She had been on dates before where her date had asked her to break a single dollar for the tip. But then, nothing about any previous dates even compared to this one.
“Thank you very much for lunch,” Casey said primly as Andrew opened her car door for her. He looked at her intently for a few moments then leaned down and gave her a long, slow kiss. She was too surprised to move.
Andrew lifted his head and smiled enigmatically. “You are very welcome little one.” Casey slid into her seat in a daze. She had to stop freezing up like that. If he’d just stop surprising her maybe one of these times she’d get to kiss him back. The thought made her blush hotly. She’d have to stop that too, she hadn’t blushed this much since grade school.
Andrew shut her door and walked around the car to the driver’s side.
Was he whistling? Casey couldn’t be sure.
Casey was surprised when less than half an hour later the nearly silent Jaguar pulled up in front of the Reading Room. She’d been so engrossed in their conversation again that she hadn’t even realized they already crossed the river.
Andrew turned the key and shut off the engine.
Casey wasn’t quite ready to end the date. “Would you like to come in for coffee?” She asked him shyly. She looked towards the store. “I make a mean Mocha.” She smiled enticingly.
“I’d love to, but I’ve really got to get back. I promised my sister I’d give her a hand this afternoon. Three kids can be extremely wearing on the nerves.” He shook his head in wonder.
“I can imagine.” Casey was disappointed but tried not to show it.
“I’d like to see you again.” His voice was husky, his expression guarded and a little surprised, as if the idea had taken him unaware. “I know I’m not here much longer but I’d really like to see you again this weekend. If you’re not busy of course.” Andrew reached out almost unconsciously and ran his hand over her hair.
Casey leaned into the hand caressing her head. She just couldn’t seem to stop herself. “I’d like that. If the bookstore lets me go.” She found herself agreeing without conscious thought. “Thank you very much for lunch. I really had a great time.” She smiled.
This time she was ready for him. When he leaned forward to kiss her, she met him halfway. The spark was instantaneous, the kiss deepened. Casey reached out her hand to pull him closer and….
A car horn blared nearby. Casey jumped back as if she’d been shot.
Her eyes still cloudy with desire and her lips swollen from the kiss, she stared at Andrew in amazement.
Andrew smiled in understanding. He looked towards the bookstore at the steady stream of pedestrians walking past their car. “We have terrible timing. I haven’t behaved like this since I was a teenager.” He pulled back slowly. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow about this weekend.”
Casey straightened her hair and took a deep breath. “Tomorrow then.” She sounded more composed than she felt.
“You can bet on it.” Andrew reached across her to open her door, “Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.” He kissed her once quickly as she turned to leave. His gaze was teasing, “I just can’t help myself.”
She smiled dazedly and slid out of the car, shutting the door behind her.
The car started with a roar and, with a wave, Andrew pulled away from the curb.
Casey stood on the sidewalk outside the bookstore for a moment trying to get her composure back. Then, taking a deep breath she straightened her shoulders and walked purposefully into the store.
The jingling of the bell went unheard. All hell had broken loose. There were customers everywhere. Books were piled on every available surface and a child cried somewhere in among the shelves. Casey took a shocked look around and saw Michael, his ponytail coming undone striding towards her purposefully.
“Thank God you’re back!” He nearly hugged her. “I’ll explain later, just please help me deal with some of these customers.” He pulled off her coat and threw it on a chair near the door and then practically dragged her shocked body over towards the cash desk.
Shaking her head, she quickly jumped into the melee. She was far too busy for the rest of the afternoon to even th
ink about Andrew or the incredible time they had shared.
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