Chapter 17
17
RONAN
“I t’s cold as balls,” Nicky whines as she bustles down the sidewalk alongside me. “Hell, who am I kidding? It’s colder than balls.It’s cold as a corpse.”
“A corpse?” I glance over, chuckling at her dramatics.
She nods, the red and frosty tip of her nose pointed at me. Nicky is obviously freezing. “And that’s precisely what I’m going to be if you keep me out here much longer.”
She’s fucking adorable. That’s why I’m always staring at her. I can’t help it.
All throughout breakfast, my teammates seemed to get a kick out of ganging up on me. It was my fault, though, for making it super obvious that I’m totally into Nicky. I can’t hide it. I’m not even sure I’m trying all that hard.
I almost breathed out a sigh of relief when the guys finished up and left Nicky and me to enjoy our breakfast in peace. The meal was far better when it was just the two of us, laughing and eating and sitting side by side.
I won’t lie—I’ve been looking forward to getting some real alone time with the gorgeous Ms. Westbrook.
After paying for our pancakes, I guided Nicky out onto the sidewalk. I somehow convinced her to wander around Starlight Falls with me. She had so many questions about the town during breakfast, I thought it would be a great day to let her explore. I’m proud to show her around. I don’t know why, but it feels important that Nicky comes to like my quaint—and peculiar—hometown.
She’s been complaining the whole time, though.
As we stroll down Main Street, I keep stealing peeks at her. Because she’s so damn pretty. When she catches me staring—as always—I try to play it off.
“Poor you,” I say. “January in Starlight Falls just plain sucks if you’re not ridiculously hot-blooded like me.” I quirk a shoulder.
“Your big ego always finds a way to insert itself into every conversation, doesn’t it?” She laughs.
“Shush!” I whip off my worn, knitted hat and plop it onto Nicky’s head, pulling it low over her ears. I half-expect her to get angry or give me another long-winded speech about professional boundaries. But she just smiles up at me, looking goddamn cute.
“My ears thank you,” she says.
I grin back. “Your ears are quite welcome.”
I’m barely resisting the urge to wrap an arm around her shoulder and pull her into my side. But Nicky and I are getting along just fine for once. I don’t want to push my luck. So instead, I jam my hands into my front pockets and keep strolling along.
Side by side, we walk through the heart of town.
“This is my dad’s medical clinic.” I point out the ground level unit of the brick building as we approach. Then I correct myself. “Actually, dad opened it years ago, before I was even born. But it’s Felix and Mason’s clinic now.”
“So cool,” she says. She peeks inside the large front window and waves when she spots Karli on the phone at the reception desk. Then her eyes shift to the upper level of the building. “Wisteria and Grace,” she muses to herself when she peeks up at the vintage signage. “Isn’t that your sister-in-law’s clothing boutique?”
“Sure is,” I say. “Wanna go take a look?”
She beams. “Definitely.”
I follow Nicky up the staircase and the minute she steps inside, she’s like a kid in a candy shop. Daphne isn’t busy in this weather so she has the time to be Nicky’s personal stylist as they browse the racks of clothing and chat. I smile to myself as they get to know each other because I can tell that Nicky is really hitting it off with my brother’s fiancée. That’s really special to me. Daphne’s a shy girl so if she’s getting along with Nicky that’s a testament to the kind of person Nicky is.
“So, why did you leave Chicago anyway?” Daphne asks when Nicky steps into the changing room with a bunch of hangers clenched in her hand.
“Family, mostly.” Nicky’s voice carries through the curtain sealing her in. “All my brothers and my best friends are in Honey Hill. I have one niece already, and another niece or nephew on the way.”
I sit in a chair in the corner, keeping out of everyone’s way as Nicky puts on her little fashion show, changing into outfits in the dressing room, coming out for a twirl in front of the mirror and then disappearing to change again.
“Oh, I see,” Daphne says, nodding. “It’s always tough being far away from family.”
“Yeah,” Nicky calls out. “I was just feeling so left out living hours away. It was fine when I was working with my father in Chicago, but now that my parents are back together, I just wasn’t happy out there, seven hours away, by myself.”
I nod to myself because I feel the same way. My brothers and sister drive me insane, but I sort of felt the same when I was playing in New York. It was tough living that far away. At first, I was pissed when I got drafted by the Saints. But now I feel lucky being on a team that’s basically my hometown.
Anyway, I don’t know how some guys get bored shopping with their girlfriends. Every outfit Nicky tries on makes my cock jump with delight. Every time Nicky disappears, Daphne turns and gives me excited thumbs ups, mouthing She’s so pretty! and She’s smart, too! and She’s so perfect for you!
My face is hot, I can feel it. Because I think Nicky is great, too. Problem is, I don’t think the feeling is mutual. Especially after the mess I made between us after the game last night.
My brain goes completely blank the next time Nicky pulls the curtain back. She steps out in a dress that immediately steals my breath.
It’s a lacy wine-colored with its hem brushing the floor. It fits her curves like a glove, with a neckline that plunges low enough to emphasize her perfect rack, and every time she moves I get a peek of her sexy thighs through the dangerously high slit.
“Wow. This is gorgeous on you,” Daphne coos.
“Oh, it really is,” Nicky says, admiring the way it looks on her. Then she discreetly glances at the price tag. She drops it like it’s hot. Then she starts spewing out excuses. “But y’know—I don’t think it’s the right color for me. And I don’t really have any place to wear it to. I think it would look better on a taller body type.”
It’s all bullshit. Her excuses make no sense. But I don’t say so because Nicky and I are on pretty shaky ground right now. Accidentally commenting about her tits or her perfect peach-shaped ass in that dress will only get me punched in the throat.
A few moments later, Nicky has changed back into her own clothes. The girls exchange hugs and phone numbers and promise to hang out together soon.
“Wanna go check out the farmer’s market?” I ask Nicky when we step back out into the cold.
“It’s open at this time of year?” she asks, her eyebrows hiked up with intrigue.
“It has limited operations during the winter. But there are still a bunch of booths and crafts. Desserts. Root crops.”
The more I speak, the more Nicky is lighting up with excitement.All of a sudden, it’s like she’s not so cold anymore.
“This way first,” I say, setting a hand at the dip of her spine to guide her through the rows and rows of booths. “I want you to meet Rainbow, my astrologer bestie.” We head toward a large stand in the back.
Nicky laughs, throwing me an incredulous look. “You have an astrologer bestie?”
“Psht! Of course I do. You know what they say—millionaires don’t have astrologers. Billionaires do. Or, something like that.”
“I didn’t know they said that,” Nicky quips.
“Yup. They all do. All of them.”
She shakes her head, a ghost of a smile on her face as I reach over Rainbow’s counter to give her a big squeeze.
Rainbow barely spares me a glance. She’s all intrigued by my companion for the day. “Well, who is this lovely lady?”
With an arm outstretched, she grins. “I’m Nicky.”
The women shake hands. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Nicky. I’m Rainbow. My, you’re gorgeous!” She turns to me, her metal bracelets clinking as she pats my cheek with her cold, sticky hand. Her colorful hair fans out around her smiling face. “I’m so happy that Ronan finally found himself a girlfriend.”
Nicky practically jumps a whole foot backward, whipping her head left to right to left. “Oh, no, no! I’m not his girlfriend.”
I chew down on my grin. “Nicky’s my personal assistant for the rest of the hockey season.”
Rainbow’s eyes bounce between the two of us. She says nothing, but I can practically see her computing and calculating and running synastry charts in her head. Her expression says she doesn’t believe for one minute that nothing’s going on between us.
I won’t complain. I have the hots for Nicky. They say I wear my emotions on my sleeve. So I’m guessing my interest in Nicky is probably all up in my aura. Plain to see. Especially to a seasoned fortuneteller like Rainbow.
Eventually, the wise old woman cracks a smile. “So, how’s my favorite hockey player?” Rainbow gushes, her attention coming to me.
“I’m doing good, but I’m all out of your famous beets and carrots. Can’t make my vegetable soup without ‘em.”
“We can’t have that,” Rainbow answers, winking at Nicky as she starts preparing a bag for me. “We need our athlete eating healthy.”
Nicky starts going around the table, peeking at Rainbow’s offerings. Along with her variety of winter crops, Rainbow is also selling goods that she produced from her summer’s harvest. Pickles, jams, pies, and preserves.
Farming is Rainbow’s livelihood, no matter the season. Along with her husband Jimmy, she feeds half this town.
I give Nicky some space. I stand back, watching her fall in love with all of Rainbow’s goods. She seems enamored with everything. The lights. The smells. The local music. I had a feeling she’d like this place.
She’s asking Rainbow a thousand and one questions. And drooling over the flavors of the pies. And taste-testing some of the jams. And commenting on the handmade jewelry. Rainbow is eating it up. She loves all the attention.
When Nicky’s back is turned, Rainbow gives me a subtle nod of approval.I can’t help but grin.
“Oh, this looks divine,” Nicky says when Rainbow gives her a small sample of the cherry crumble. “I brag all day about my Grammy’s secret recipe pie, but this right here—this might give her some competition.”
The older woman absolutely beams, laying a hand on the center of her chest. “Well, that’s a compliment. I’ll take it.”
Nicky emits a heavy sigh. “Rainbow, everything you have here is amazing,” she says, eyeballing the rest of the goods on the table. “I wish I could buy one of everything. But I promised myself that I’d be good and I wouldn’t spend any money today.”
I don’t like the way she says that.
I step forward. “Why not indulge a little? You can’t go wrong with some mulberry jam,” I say.
Nicky bites her lip. I can tell she wants to support Rainbow and the other locals here. But she clutches tightly to her purse. “I know. I’m just trying to watch my budget.” She takes a step backward from the table.
My brows dip low. I’m sure my face gives away my concern. “How come? My brother and his buddies better be paying you good for this babysitting assignment. If I hear they’re swindling you out of what you’re worth, then there’s going to be hell to pay.”
Nicky lays a hand on my arm. I love the way it feels when she touches me. “Everything’s fine, Ronan,” she insists. “I’m just trying to save up a little, so I can buy a house.” Her cheeks redden. “When I’m not, y’know, staying in your luxury guesthouse, I’ve been bunking at my brother’s house. I’m really ready for a place of my own.”
“Fair enough,” I concede with a nod. “I find your need for independence respectable. Admirable, really.” I give her a little bow and she giggles.
Nicky Westbrook is a woman who goes after what she wants. She deserves to have everything her heart desires.
The jellies and jams, included.
So, every time Nicky picks up an item that interests her, or every time her eyelids flutter closed in delight when Rainbow offers her another taste-test, I pay for it behind her back. All of it.
I follow her around, filling up my bags with pies, homemade bracelets, crystals, and herbal teas just for her. Each time Nicky gets distracted by some new item, I keep slipping Rainbow more cash.
When Nicky is finished exploring the booth, she looks at me with a satisfied grin. “Ready to go?”
But Rainbow isn’t done with her yet. She pulls up a stool and motions Nicky over. “Sit, dear. You just have the prettiest aura. Let’s see what the cards have to say about you.”
The next thing I know, Nicky is seated at Rainbow’s table, and the spirited old woman is shuffling her tarot cards.
To my surprise, Nicky is totally into it, asking a bunch of questions.
“Did I make the right move, quitting my job in Chicago to come out here?”
“What’s the current energy in my career sector?”
“Am I moving in the right direction when it comes to my finances?”
“Can you foresee any obstacles to me buying a house?”
My lips curve into a smile, as this woman shocks me yet again. Nicky is everything and nothing like I expected, all at once.With a whole lot of spice tossed in.
Rainbow smiles as Nicky’s avalanche of questions pours down. “Got it. Do you also want to know what’s next in your love life?”
Nicky glances at me self-consciously then she lowers her voice. “No thank you. I’ve sworn off men for the moment.” She flinches, holding up a palm. “Please don’t ask.”
Rainbow mimics zipping her lips and tossing the key over her shoulder. Then the old woman begins shuffling the deck.
“A tarot reading, huh?” I come up close, gripping the back of Nicky’s stool while I check out the cards Rainbow is flipping over.
“Yes, sir,” Nicky answers with a grin. “My friend Ziggy from back home reads tarot cards for me all the time.”
Rainbow’s head whips up from the cards she’s shuffling.“Ziggy? Ziggy is my niece . No wonder I like you so much!”
“No way. Really?” Nicky whips around to get my confirmation.
I nod. “Everyone around here knows Ziggy.”
“Oh my gosh!” Nicky beams. “Small world. Well I’m glad we met, Rainbow. If I’m going to be in Starlight Falls for a while, I’m going to need my connection out here, too. How else will I know what my fate holds?”
“Hey, now,” I argue, kidding around. “Rainbow’s only allowed one astrology bestie, and that’s me. You keep your own.”
“No fighting, Ronan,” the mystic scolds me. “My gifts are powerful enough that you can both share my insights.”
Nicky laughs.
I sigh. “Fine, then. Rainbow, work your magic. She’s a Sagittarius. Born on Christmas Eve.”
“A Capricorn,” Nicky corrects me, peeking over her back at me.
Rainbow’s eyes gleam, bouncing between the two of us. “Ooh! A Capricorn and a Libra. That could be an interesting match.”
“We’re not dating!” Nicky and I say at the same time.
Our eyes meet, and we burst into laughter.
Rainbow continues her reading, dropping subtle hints about Nicky and my compatibility through out. Nicky brushes the comments off but I just grin at the possibility that the stars might have my back on this.
As we’re leaving, Rainbow is still mumbling on and on about my aura. She’s openly eyeballing the two of us closer than I feel comfortable with. I don’t know what colors she’s seeing around me, but at the moment, I don’t need to ask.
Because all I know is—Nicky Westbrook is making my chakras dance.