That One Summer: A Collection of Steamy Contemporary Romance

Chapter 4

Aneka

Once I assured my daughterI was neither wallowing in self-pity nor trapped in a rural hellscape, I got her off the phone, dressed, and made my way downtown to experience Bliss’ revived energy firsthand. Natalie asked me to stop by her bakery after the morning rush, so I took my time, walking the almost mile to Main Street and taking in the scene.

New shops lined the once familiar road, catering to the influx of newcomers and locals who missed small business. A new art supply and craft depot sat where the fish and tackle shop had been growing up. The window displayed items for crafters and scrapbookers and professional artists. I stopped in and met the owner, a colorfully dressed woman named Mia, who advertised her photography services, pet sitting, and, combining her interests, pet photography.

“That’s how I supplemented my income in Austin. I had four jobs to afford my apartment. My loft space on Middleton is way cheaper. Not as many customers, but I can afford to do my artistic photography, and I have an online store to sell my prints.” The ruffles of her rainbow motley maxi dress shimmied in time with the shake of the purple Bantu knots atop her head as she gestured and spoke.

The beautiful portraits on the walls held familiar faces—even if they were only youthful similarities to ones I knew. Mia also had scenic landscapes from around East Texas that showcased the natural beauty of the area.

“These are gorgeous. You really capture what I love about this place,” I said.

“Do you get to come back and visit much?”

I shrugged. “Not lately, but I’m thinking of moving back.”

“Then we’ll have to have lunch sometime.”

“Absolutely.”

“Living here has been an adjustment, but most people have been really friendly. Caleb McKnight has sponsored a lot of events, bringing in bands, university lecturers at the community college, a lot of things to help boost the cultural scene,” Mia said. “You must have known him when you lived here.”

I ignored the heat warming my gut. “We went to high school together. Everyone knew Caleb. Him and Colton Gardner. Football heroes.”

She shook her head. “That’s something I’m still not used to.”

“What?” I asked.

“No offense, but how long ago was that football championship? People talk about it like it was last season.”

“Honey, we don’t need to discuss exactly how long ago it was. I’m feeling old enough these days.” My grin widened, and I covered my face. “You’re not from Texas at all, are you?”

“No. Massachusetts originally.”

“Football glory is everything, and then Colton was a Heisman candidate in college and played in the NFL. I’ll bet he still never has to buy a beer at the Fodder.”

“Well, either that or he’s buying rounds for the entire bar. Everyone really loves Colton. Doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes.”

Colton had that everybody’s all-American quarterback look, like Tom Brady and Joe Montana rolled into one. Now, you could see him on local commercials, advertising the car dealership that bore his name. Since his divorce from a former supermodel, I’m sure he was very popular with the local ladies.

“No one charms like Colton. I’ll bet he eats up the attention,” I said.

“He does. Unlike Caleb. Half the women in town are flirting with that man, and he barely notices,” she snickered.

“Making your move?” I asked, chastising myself for the irrational flare of jealousy tightening my chest.

“No. I don’t have time for any of that,” she replied quickly, fumbling with her papers before righting her expression. “If you graduated with Caleb, then you know Natalie, too. Sweet Bliss is my favorite spot. I stop there every morning for a croissant and coffee.”

Her talking speed picked up again quickly on the topic of baked goods.

“I’m headed there now. I thought I’d surprise her, but even though I snuck into town last night, she texted me this morning,” I said.

Mia chuckled. “I heard about your arrival from Leslie Amberton. Her daughter waits tables at the diner. Some hotheads were going off about you last night. Caleb shut them down. I guess now I know why. You two are old friends.”

I sighed and suppressed the urge to utter an unladylike curse. “I drove straight to my parents’ house. Do they have facial recognition with SMS alerts on the Main Street stop light now?”

Mia’s nose crinkled as she laughed. “News spreads around here the old-fashioned way, but it’s wonderful to put a face to the name.”

“Glad to meet you, too,” I said and glanced at my watch. “I better get going.”

I waved on my way out and skipped the new clothing boutique and refurbished apartment building advertising loft spaces to go straight to the bakery.

Seeing the changes downtown only made me more curious about Caleb’s life between our nods from a distance across the room at our reunion and his resettlement here.

The bells over the bakery door tinkled when I entered. Natalie’s head turned, a warm smile lifting her plump cheeks. Her dark braids swung behind her as she charged from around the counter.

“You know, I was close storming your house to demand an explanation for you coming to town without a word. Lucky for you, I’ve been busy all morning,” she shouted and wiped her hands on a towel before encircling me in a hug.

“I thought I could drop in today before anyone knew I was here. I underestimated the local spy network. Damn.” I laughed.

“Language! Aneka! So spicy!”

“I was spicy the last time we talked.”

That was three weeks ago, before Elijah and I settled the question of the house. When I talked to Natalie, he was resistant to letting me have it because he caught wind I might sell and move. He didn’t want it, but I think he fantasized I would hold down the old home front for him to visit like a museum.

“I like you spicy. It’s more fun. Preacher’s wife Aneka was like an alien,” Natalie mumbled.

“To you and me both, I think.”

She leaned back and gripped my shoulders. “Is it over yet?”

“Almost.”

“Well, how about a celebratory cookie? I have some gorgeous oatmeal chocolate chip fresh out of the oven or my patriotic sugar cookies. They’re all frosted for the Fourth...” Her voice trailed off as she went down the menu of options.

“You know what I want!” I laughed.

“If you’d told me you were coming yesterday, I would have saved some for you, but I got a massive order for honey buns first thing this morning. I boxed up every single one I made plus two emergency batches. They’re in back. Sorry,” she chirped, but I could tell she wasn’t sorry at all.

“You can’t sneak me one? They’re my favorite,” I whined.

“I know. Everyone does. But nope,” she shook her head hard and fast. “The order was very specific.”

“What does that mean? Who would specifically order every single one you had?”

“If you wait about five minutes, you might could find out,” she sassed. “The customer scheduled pickup at eleven.”

“Fine. I take one of those chocolate hazelnut croissants and a cup of coffee,” I said.

She waved me toward one of her tiny cafe tables, then delivered my treat. I sank my teeth into the delectable, creamy, nutty, buttery, dark, chocolaty sweet. Like her parents, Natalie was a master baker. She worked at a patisserie in Paris for ten years before returning to the States to care for her parents and help with the bakery. Now, they were both gone, and she took over the business while her sister, Katrina, moved to Dallas and took a job as a private chef.

For a while, the Boudreaux sisters weren’t sure the bakery would survive, but the influx of new blood gave them hope. Judging by the rush of patrons snagging late-morning nibbles and those picking up holiday orders, Natalie barely had time to shoot me smug smiles, but she did. I chewed and waited, and it wasn’t even five minutes before I understood why.

Caleb McKnight, rebel son of Bliss, slammed the door of his massive pickup and turned, looking as delicious as I remembered. He strode toward the bakery door in crisp jeans and a button-down that hugged his broad shoulders and tapered to his taut waist.

He was as fit as he’d been in high school. Maybe more so.

I wiggled in my seat, cursing my quickly assembled outfit of yoga pants and a T-shirt. These weren’t even my good yoga pants. I pulled at the pilled fabric on my knees from where I scraped them gardening and smoothed my hands up and down my thighs.

He came in and headed toward the register. I shrank back a little, hoping he wouldn’t notice me behind a pillar. He looked as fine from the back as the front. My behind was not nearly so firm in Lycra as his was in form-fitting denim.

Natalie waved, and then, dammit... She gestured toward me with a Cheshire grin. I straightened up quick, hopefully before he caught me slumped and looking like I was hiding. Which I was.

His face lit up before shadowing. My heart tripped. Uncertainty hovered between us. We’d hardly spoken since he booked it away from my earnest horniness twenty-eight years ago.

Every other time since I’d been committed to my husband.

That wasn’t true now.

Caleb might not be single. I didn’t know. None of the articles mentioned a girlfriend, but he was private. Private and not flirting with any of the town’s eligible ladies, if I could believe Mia. Maybe because he wasn’t eligible.

Or maybe...

He was walking toward me.

I smiled.

“Caleb. God, I haven’t seen you in ages.” The words came out breathy, like I’d been running.

“I know. I heard you were back in town.”

“Less than twenty-four hours,” I snickered.

His eyes swept over me. My old T-shirt with the sweat-darkened armpits. My hip-hugging yoga pants. My ratty sneakers.

“You look fantastic. Being back in Bliss agrees with you.”

I grinned like an idiot. “It does actually.”

“Me too. Welcome home.”

The rough timber of his voice had me shook. Literally. My foot bounced nervously against the leg of the cafe table. I stilled my twitching fingers by clutching the coffee cup.

“Are you the official welcome wagon now, since you’re practically the new mayor?”

“Only for old friends.”

“Old? Lord. You make us sound ancient.”

“Sorry.” He chuckled and licked his lips. “We’re definitely not ancient. I like to think I’m still in my prime.”

You are. Good. God.

My mouth went so dry, I couldn’t speak.

Natalie cleared her throat. “Caleb, your order is ready. Unless you want us to drop them at your place? An order this big, we could have delivered them.”

She stacked box after box labeled “Honey Buns” on the counter.

“So you’re the one who bought Natalie out! Every single one!” I accused. “I’ve been looking forward to those since my drive up yesterday.”

“Oh, were these your favorite?” he asked, crunching his brow and smirking.

“They are my favorite.”

“Your tastes haven’t changed?” He locked eyes with me.

I knew what he was asking, and my answer caught on my tongue. He was flirting shamelessly and in public. After all these years.

But I was still Aneka Shaw. Elijah’s wife. For a few more weeks, anyway. This man was about to have me throwing myself at him again. I couldn’t and shouldn’t.

“No, they haven’t,” I found myself saying with a flutter of my lashes.

“Then, if you want one, you’ll have to come to my party tonight.”

“Bribing me with sweets?”

“Do you want one or not? I bought Nat out for the day. Otherwise, you’re out of luck.”

I rocked back in my chair and crossed my arms, suppressing a smile. “I’ll wait until tomorrow. She’ll make more.”

Caleb slanted a half smile at me, then turned to Natalie. “You know, these smell so irresistible. I think I’m going to buy your inventory every day for the next week. I have some business associates flying in and—”

“Seriously?” I crooned.

He flicked his dark gaze back at me. “I have a sweet tooth.”

“Natalie won’t let you do that,” I protested.

“I don’t know. I kind of like the idea of guaranteed sales. Once everyone heads out after the fireworks on the lake, who knows how busy I’ll be?” she shrugged and giggled, and if she hadn’t been my friend since third grade, I would have strangled her.

“My only plans tonight were to hang out with Natalie—”

“Who already RSVP’ed yes,” Caleb cut in. “We’ve got barbecue. Fireworks. And a domino tournament that may start fights.”

“Ooh, entertainment. I suppose I could stop by and say hello.”

“Perfect. Things will kick off around seven, seven thirty.”

He paid for his order, and Natalie called one of her employees to help him with the boxes. Caleb turned back to pay, and I called his name. He stopped and stepped over.

“You could have just invited me, you know.”

“Could I? Every time I’ve invited you to something or been going to the same event as you, you’ve been mysteriously out of pocket. When I heard you were in town, I figured I might need some bait just to catch up.”

I pressed my lips together and hoped my embarrassment didn’t show. I didn’t think he noticed me avoiding him.

“No. The invitation will do. All anyone can talk about is you taking over the Bliss house and all the changes around town. I’m curious,” I replied, proud my voice was steady.

Caleb flashed me a bright smile like the one I remembered. He was certainly easier with those these days. I was glad for him.

“Perfect. The party is at my place. You know the spot.”

“Everyone does,” I sang. “See you tonight.”

He nodded and paused, jamming his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Are you really curious about what’s new in town?”

I bit my lip before answering. “Yes.”

“How about I take you around this afternoon?”

My heart pounded as I wrestled with my answer.

“Sure.”

Why not? I could hang out with an old friend, and Natalie had to work until she closed at three.

“Hey, Nat, how about we deliver to the house?” He called the question over his shoulder.

I leaned around him to see my friend stick her tongue out with dog-like pant and waggle her brows. “Sure thing.”

On our way out, Caleb snagged two buns from a box and held out one wrapped in a napkin.

“Sweets for the sweet.”

Pulse racing again, I waved him off. “Finally! Can I get it in a second? I’ll be out in a minute. I need to use the restroom.”

He left, taking with him the buns and the player’s charm that had me torn between propriety and temptation.

“Still got it bad for him,” Natalie teased.

I dropped to a whisper since the door jangled again, announcing new patrons. “He’s too handsome for words. But that doesn’t matter. What am I doing? I’m married.”

She leaned in. “You are ten seconds away from a divorce that’s been in the works for two freaking years.”

“It has been two years.”

Two long years. Not just since Elijah and I split. I tried to date a few months ago, but none of the men were right for me. Mostly, they made me feel glad to be on my own—even if I hadn’t sniffed a man in two years.

“Go have fun,” Natalie pressed.

I rolled my eyes and her and swept my gaze back toward the door. An old football team photo on the wall drew me in. There was Caleb, eyes glinting with the mischief that had always melted me. The same mischief that had him buying a truckload of honey buns and flirting.

“You’re a bad influence,” I murmured.

“Hush. I’m the best.” Natalie’s crackling laugh echoed off the tile floors and walls before she lowered her voice again. “Why pretend that boy doesn’t drive you crazy in the best way?”

“Boy? Pretty sure he’s in the man category now.”

Through the window, Caleb sat in the front seat of his shiny, sapphire-colored, extended cab pickup, absorbed by something on his phone. His broad shoulders filled the driver’s seat, forearms flexed and braced on the steering wheel.

Yeah, that was definitely a man.

Natalie checked out another customer and angled away from a couple surveying the glass display several feet away. “It’s a drive, not a sex romp in the back seat at Bliss Point. Unless you want to. He probably could clear out your coochy cobwebs.”

“Stop,” I hissed, cheeks flaming hot.

In high school, I fantasized about driving up to the lookout over the lake to park and neck with Caleb. The idea sparked more than a little dormant interest, but I shook it out of my head. “He’s showing me around.”

Natalie snorted and cackled. “Mmm hmm. Around the town you grew up in.”

I narrowed my eyes at her and spun to leave before remembering I was supposed to go to the bathroom. I faked a bladder stop then walked outside, still not ready to face how an afternoon with Caleb McKnight thrilled me more than it should.