A Minute on the Lips Read online

  She grimaced. “I’m sorry. Too wrapped up in my own junk. I should have asked about her visit. How’s it going?”

  He licked his fork and set it on his plate before he reached over to give her a mug of coffee. “Good. She’s staying for the Fall Festival. She likes it here.” When his eyes met hers, his lips twitched. He was pretty sure that she would understand that little admission was a source of both satisfaction and concern to him. He’d been happy with the way things were. Having his mother in town could be a big help or a big pain in the neck and was liable to be both at different times. Still, he loved her. Tall Pines was a great place. It was probably a match made in heaven.

  “That’s nice.” She looked a little unsure about where to go from there. He could understand the dilemma. “Is she staying to see you win the chili cook-off?”

  He laughed. “No, I decided not to enter. I was afraid that losing might actually kill Jackie if we don’t track down his trophies before then.” He took a sip of hot coffee before he added, “But my mom hasn’t forgiven him yet, so she’s entering and she’s pretty sure she’s going to win.”

  He took the chair beside Andi, scooted closer and pointed down the street. The lights in the Country Kitchen had just been turned off. A red convertible whipped to a stop on the street right in front of the door. “That looks like Wanda’s car.”

  “She and Jackie have a little exchange going on,” Mark said.

  Andi’s lips twitched as she watched Jackie hand Wanda a pie pan. “Pie for money...a tale as old as time.”

  Mark whistled. “Maybe you haven’t solved the case yet, but you are doing some investigating, aren’t you? Wanda’s secret, unrest over at the high school, travel plans of local business owners and a showdown with your nemesis. You’ve got to be getting closer.”

  Andi hummed and finished her pie with her eyes closed. She needed a kiss. Obviously.

  His fork clinked on his plate as he set it on the windowsill.

  Mark turned his hand over in hers and twisted their fingers together before he rested them on his thigh. “You’ll figure it out.”

  Andi looked up to meet his eyes in the dark. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

  One corner of his mouth quirked up. “Well, I am on the case, too.”

  She smiled back and straightened in her seat. “You’ve been a big help, Mark. I don’t suppose you have any more ideas for me. Now that I’ve completely cleared my list of suspects, I’ll have to do some creative brainstorming tomorrow and I couldn’t even stir up a breeze at this point.”

  He laughed and stood to pull her up out of the chair. “Here’s a thought...maybe it wasn’t Ray, but someone who wanted to help Ray.”

  Andi pursed her lips. “So that moves the mayor to the top of the list. Lori would be second. Or maybe the other way around, but something to think about.” She rubbed her forehead. “You’re pretty good at this.”

  The words and her tired smile were too much. He clenched his hands to keep from grabbing her and kissing her.

  Andi headed to the door. Her face and her walk all said casual ease, but she froze in the doorway. Nonchalance had never really suited her.

  And the time was right. He was done waiting. There was no better place or time in the world than this peaceful office after dark, when it felt as if they were the only people left in the world.

  He leaned closer and then she asked, “Why didn’t you kiss me good-night?”

  When he paused to look at her face in the light from the street, it seemed as if she was holding her breath.

  Mark squeezed her hand and stepped closer. There was a smile on his lips when he said, “How many times have you said ‘working date’ to me? That seemed to be going a little too far to sell the story.”

  He could see doubt and dissatisfaction on her face. Teasing her, watching her frown in annoyance was fun, but maybe here, in the quiet, shadowy office, he should be completely honest. “But I wanted to, Andi. And if you don’t leave quick, I’m going to right here. Now.”

  He held his breath and watched her analyze his answer. Before he could make good on his promise, Andi tilted her head up and touched her mouth to his tentatively. His free hand slid around her waist to pull her even closer, and he tilted his head to fit their mouths together in a sweet kiss of introduction. She fit his arms perfectly and he did his best to memorize her weight against him, the sweet heat of her mouth, and the way her hands gripped his shoulders. Finally he stepped back and loosened his hold.

  Andi shook her head. “We’re in so much trouble.”

  Mark bent and pressed another kiss on her mouth. “We’re going to stop calling them ‘working’ dates, right?”

  Andi closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “We shouldn’t be doing any dating at all.”

  An angry answer came quickly to mind but he’d negotiated with her before. He had just the right light, easy answer ready when she surprised him. “But I do need your help.” She rolled her eyes. “I hate it, but you’ve had the best suggestions. And...” She reached up to smooth her hand down his arm and tangle her fingers with his, and Mark did his best not to either slump with relief or shout in victory. “I have no idea how we could ever work, with your history and mine, but...you make Tall Pines better.” She closed her eyes for a second. “Or you make me better or you make me feel better here or...something. I don’t want to give that up. Not yet.”

  “Maybe after you solve Jackie’s case? Or even after you win the election?” Mark studied her face. They were important questions. “Or when you leave town for sure. Then you’ll be okay with giving that up?”

  “I think we’re past that.” She squeezed his hand. “I think... The things you’ve said to me, they matter, Mark. So...that’s all I know.”

  He tried to ignore the flash of satisfaction that surged through him at her words. He’d started this to improve communication with the sheriff. He hadn’t counted on how well they’d connect, but he was glad he wasn’t the only one getting in too deep.

  He wrapped his arms around Andi and pulled her close until she rested against him. Instead of pushing him away, Andi put her head on his shoulder and Mark rubbed the tension in her back and massaged her neck until she melted against him, like once she’d let go of all the stress of the day, there wasn’t much left. Anything that might look like an iron backbone had disappeared along with the knife-edge creases in her pants and the starch in her collar. Andi was done. She let out a long, tired sigh, and Mark felt it all the way to his bones.

  They stood there quietly for a minute, and he ran his hands up and down her back. He wasn’t sure if she actually fell asleep or just desperately wanted to. Her hands shifted on his back, a slow quest from the small of his back over his shoulder blades. And, if it was possible, she relaxed further into him. Her breath sent a tickle of shock down his neck and he shivered.

  Easing back reluctantly, he asked, “Remember when I warned you about killing yourself for a job like this? That there’d always be more to do, more work waiting?” He pulled her closer. “I hate to see you wearing yourself out like this.”

  “It’s the job. You understand that.” Andi straightened, stepped back and pointed at the plates stacked in the window. “Um, you aren’t going to leave those there, are you?”

  Mark looked over at the small stack, then back at her. “What if I am? Is that against all the rules that keep the earth spinning upright on its axis?”

  Andi frowned. “Of course not. I think it’s a safety issue. You’ll have broken dishes if you aren’t careful and this is a place of business, so someone could get hurt and then you’ll have a real problem on your hands, so...”

  He stopped her lecture with another kiss. Her lips were warm, and he could feel the traces of her smile before he stepped back. “I’ll pick them up, Sheriff. I solemnly swear.”

  Andi nodd
ed.

  “Should I pass along your compliments to the chef? My mother’s upstairs even now, slaving away on her new and improved chili recipe.”

  “Oh, definitely.” Andi swayed toward him before she straightened her shoulders and turned to the door. “I need to get home. Tomorrow’s going to be another day like today.”

  Mark held up one hand. “Well, I bought you a present, but I understand perfectly if you’d rather wait until you can properly appreciate it.”

  Andi stepped closer and tilted her head. “A present? For me? Why?”

  Mark laughed. “You seem to be getting a second wind.”

  Andi smiled and twisted her hands together in front of her.

  “Close your eyes and hold out your hands.”

  Andi rushed to do both, then fidgeted while she waited. He dropped the skein in her hands and said, “Okay, open your eyes.”

  Andi looked down and stepped closer to the window so she could read the label. “Sock yarn.” The look on her face said she was impressed. Really. But not quite sure.

  She smiled. “Self-striping yarn in tans. This is great. It’ll blend right in with my uniform. What a great choice, Mark. Thank you. This is a great end for what started as a pretty rough day.” The look on her face said she was trying to be happy with the color, and Mark wanted to laugh out loud at her transparency.

  “I love it,” she said. “Thank you for thinking of me.” She kissed his cheek and gave the skein a squeeze.

  He nodded. “Nicole said that one is all it would take to make a pair.”

  “When I win the election, I’ll have some lucky socks.”

  One corner of his mouth lifted. “Yeah, but...that’s not for you. Well, I mean, it is. But it’s for you to make for me.” He threaded his fingers through hers and walked her to the door. “I’m not scared of some silly knitting superstition. Make me a pair of socks. Let’s dare the universe.”

  Andi froze for a minute and then laughed. “It sounds dire when you say it like that. Can testing the universe or karma or whatever wait until after the election? I need to be well-rested for something as monumental as all that.”

  Mark squeezed her hand. “You bet, but I expect to see twelve wooden needles poking out of that yarn the next time I come over to visit Mojo.” He muttered under his breath, “For someone who lectures about safety issues, I think you’re missing a big one with all those needles.”

  Andi shook her head. “It’s only four needles. They each have two pointy ends, that’s all.”

  Mark raised an eyebrow. “Right. Well, you’re the professional. I trust you not to poke your eye out.”

  Andi stepped slowly onto the sidewalk. “I guess this week is going to be nuts so...” Mark was happy she wanted to spend more time with him, maybe almost as much as he wanted more time with her. But it might do him some good to get a little distance, just to make sure he was comfortable with where this seemed to be headed so quickly.

  He leaned a shoulder against the doorjamb. “Probably so. If you have time, drop in and we’ll go to lunch.” Sad to let her go, he added, “And we’ll text.”

  Andi waved her yarn skein. “Thanks for the help. And the pie. And the yarn.”

  He didn’t move until she drove by the newspaper office.

  After he wandered back inside and locked the door, Mark dodged his mother to set the safety-issue stack of dishes in the kitchen sink. If he forgot them and someone knocked them over and was injured, Andi would never let him live it down. The idea that someone could get hurt was hard to believe, but he didn’t want to deal with “I told you so” for the rest of his life.

  And as he realized he was thinking in terms of the rest of his life, he froze. He’d started this as a way to get the story and help the sheriff. That was it. Now he was missing her when she wasn’t around, plotting how to kiss her next and imagining the long term.

  Clearly he should never have answered Jackie’s phone call that morning. He could have wasted some time out on the lake and avoided this...whatever it turned out to be. If she left tomorrow, he’d miss her. And if she didn’t...he was afraid it would hurt even more when she did go.

  His mother had the radio cranked, blasting country music and singing along at the top of her lungs, while she mixed her third pot of chili. She was taking this cook-off seriously.

  As he tried to calm his breathing, he was thankful he had no neighbors.

  With a slow turn of a knob, she lowered the heat under the pot so it could simmer. After a quick glance at his face, she also turned off the radio.

  “Better? You look a little sick.” His mother’s warm brown eyes were beautiful. He hated that they were also sharp.

  He rubbed his stomach and nodded. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

  His mother tilted her head. “Was it the pie? Did Andi like it?” She looked in the sink. “That’s not what made you sick, is it?”

  Mark shook his head and reached over to run hot water into the sink. He laughed as he started adding the rest of her discarded utensils to the soapy water. “Nah, nobody’s sick. And yes, she loved the pie.”

  His mother crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the counter to watch him wash dishes. “Then what’s the problem?”

  He shrugged a shoulder as he worked through the stack of dishes, washing and rinsing them before putting them in the drainer. “No problem.”

  “Right. Then why are you so pale? You look like you ran into a ghost downstairs.”

  There was no way out of it. She would keep asking questions until he either told her the truth or ran to his bedroom and slammed the door. He was too old for slamming doors. Probably.

  With a sigh, he turned off the water. He pulled the towel from behind her and dried his hands as he tried to figure out the least inflammatory way to say what he needed to say.

  His mother snorted. “You realized she could be the one who might convince you to take another chance on women, dating, love and forever. Right?”

  Even hearing his mother say it like that made it impossible to breathe easily. He couldn’t admit that he was farther down the road than his mother knew.

  She patted him on the shoulder. “Good. It was bound to happen sooner or later. And I like her. She’d be good for you.”

  He shook his head. “I’m not so sure.” When his mother raised an eyebrow, he said, “She’s too serious, she doesn’t trust me and she works too hard. It’s a little like looking the old me in the face sometimes because she never stops thinking, planning, working. And she wants out of here so badly she’s probably got flight schedules memorized.”

  As she put away the cups, his mother asked, “What’s the worst that could happen, Mark? What are you afraid of?”

  What a good question. And a scary one. He crossed his arms over his chest and forced himself to say, “My heart could be broken again. She could leave. Or worse, I could spend who knows how long with another woman who doesn’t trust me until she leaves and breaks my heart.” He nodded. “Yeah, that would be the worst. Or...maybe I’d give up this place that makes me happy to go where she’s happy, get caught up in the race, and mess everything up all over again. That might be the worst.” The fact that he couldn’t rule it out, even after dealing with the sleepless nights and bad memories, bothered him.

  “Right. And what’s the best that could happen?” his mother asked as she leaned a hip against the counter.

  His stomach was a hard knot. “Everything that I’ve always wanted, the stuff I thought I’d lost, like a family and kids and just...loving someone, it could all come true.”

  His mother sniffed. “It’s going to come true, Mark. If you let it. Maybe it’s Andi. Maybe it’s not, but you have to try.”

  That was easy for her to say. She wasn’t the one taking the risk. “I’ve been pretty happy here, but investigating this case
with her...it’s been just the right thing for me.” Mark folded the towel and threw it back on the counter. “Why did I have to pick one who’s so hard to work with? She won’t make anything easy.”

  His mother leaned forward. “Easy’s boring. Always has been, always will be. Go for exciting. Besides, there’s one thing I know about the sheriff. You won’t have to worry about her sneaking away if things get too difficult. Or giving up easily on something she really wants.”

  Mark snorted but he wasn’t so sure. She worked hard, didn’t give up on her career, but he wasn’t sure about people. She’d been happy enough to cross her hometown off the list. “You’re probably right. She’d be more likely to strike a mortal wound.”

  His mother hugged him. “I like a woman who knows how to keep a man in line.” When he frowned at her, she laughed. “I guess you better decide whether you like it, too. And if you do, just how much you’d be willing to gamble to make it work.”

  He scratched his head. “I don’t think there’s much deciding left to do.”

  His mother’s smile was blinding. “Then maybe you bet on yourself, Mark.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight once more. “You’re a smart boy. You’ve already been down the road you’re afraid of. You know you’ve changed. If you hadn’t, we’d have killed each other three times by this point of my visit.” She patted his shoulder. “This time do it differently. I have no doubt that you’ll take your second chance and run with it, whether you do that here or somewhere else. You know what you want now. As long as you keep that in sight, it’s going to work out.”

  Mark wanted to believe he’d learned from his mistakes, but following the story was exhilarating and seeing his words in print was satisfying. One thing was certain. Hiding was no way to test himself. He needed to go for what he wanted, take the bumps that came with failing and enjoy the ride.

  His mother reached over to turn the radio back on but kept the volume low. “You know, when I move to Tall Pines, I think I could stay here for a while, just to make sure this town works for me.”