Hot and Bothered

  Paula laughed. “If it’s not my style, then why did you make it for me?”

  “Because it’s as far as my skill can take me,” she grumbled.

  “Well, if you’d just let me pay you for reading my fortune, then we wouldn’t have to go through this jewelry pretense, now would we, hon?” The lines around Paula’s mouth creased in amusement. “Don’t get me wrong—I’m willing to buy all the necklaces you want to make me. But don’t kid yourself, Mackenzie Ward. You’re not a jewelry maker, plain and simple. You’re a psychic.”

  Mac tried not to flinch. She hated that word. Hated it. She wasn’t in denial; she was quite aware that her visions did indeed make her psychic. She simply didn’t like thinking of herself as that. Ever since she was a little girl, she’d struggled with her gift. She despised the visions. Didn’t need ’em, didn’t want ’em. As an adult, she’d tried hard to distance herself from them.

  She’d graduated from high school, gone to college, learned how to make jewelry. She’d moved back to Hunter Ridge determined to work on her craft and start a business, and though the townsfolk humored her by buying her pieces, Mackenzie wasn’t stupid. She knew they only cared about her psychic abilities. She also knew most of them thought she was a nut job. They might chat with her in the supermarket or strike up friendly conversations at the local bar, but their minds were always on her “gift”. Wondering if she’d seen something terrible happen to them, thinking of a way to ask her about their future without looking like that’s all they wanted.

  Only a few people seemed to genuinely care about her, visions or not. Paula was one of them. Will was another.

  An ache seized her chest at the thought of Will.

  Helicopter falling from the sky…

  “Mackenzie? Honey, you okay?”

  Paula’s voice sliced through her painful thoughts. She turned away from the woman’s concerned gaze, pretending to focus on a few fat pigeons sitting on the large fountain in the middle of the town square.

  It was a gorgeous day, the sun high in the blue, cloudless sky, a warm breeze floating through the town. You’d never think a fierce storm had passed through here less than a week ago, but it had, and along with turning Mac’s entire world upside down, she’d heard the town had suffered some damage too. Lightning had struck one of the shops on idyllic Main Street, and a tree had cracked in two and smashed into the roof of the bowling alley.

  When Mac had gone into town the next day, a few people even had the audacity to ask her why she hadn’t seen the storm coming. Fuckers. Like her visions could be controlled.

  “Don’t be angry with me, hon.”

  She nearly fell off the bench when she felt Paula’s hand on her knee. With a strained smile, she said, “I’m not angry with you. I was just thinking about the storm last weekend.”

  Paula smiled knowingly. “Will was in town then, wasn’t he?”

  Mackenzie wasn’t surprised that the other woman knew about Will’s visit. Paula owned the one and only general store in town, which ensured she knew everything that went on in Hunter Ridge. Ever since her husband died two years ago, Paula had thrown herself into that store, and she rarely closed shop before two in the morning. Since Will would’ve had to drive through Main Street when he got in, Paula would’ve noticed his car. She noticed everything.

  “Yeah, he was here,” Mac admitted.

  “Did you two have a nice visit?”

  “Not really.” She shrugged. “We fought.”

  Paula raised her eyebrows. “I don’t believe that. You and Will have been inseparable since high school. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so much as raise your voices at one another.”

  “There’s a first time for everything, I guess.”

  Oh, yeah, definitely a first time for everything—like having mind-blowing sex with her best friend.

  “But you made up, right?”

  “Actually, I haven’t seen or spoken to him since,” Mac said evenly.

  She wished the bitterness in her voice wasn’t so obvious, but she couldn’t help it. Yes, Will’s stony departure had been her fault. She’d refused to open her heart to him, to give him what he wanted, and she didn’t blame him for being mad. But not even a phone call since he’d left? She knew he wasn’t out of the country, since he always called or texted her before he went away, so the silence on his part bothered her.

  “This is silly. Call him up, Mackenzie,” Paula ordered, her curly brown hair bouncing on her forehead as she shook her head. “You and Will love each other.”

  That’s the problem.

  She didn’t voice the thought, just offered a tense smile and said, “Can I ask you something?”

  “Of course. Anything.”

  She hesitated. “If I saw…if I told you I’d seen something dark in your future, would you want to know?”

  Paula’s face went pale. “Oh dear Lord! You saw my death!”

  Mac quickly patted the woman’s arm. “No, not at all. I promise. This is strictly hypothetical.”

  Paula visibly relaxed. “Wait. You’re thinking about poor Mr. Garber, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah,” Mac lied.

  “Aw, honey. You know you shouldn’t feel guilty about what happened. You couldn’t stop it.”

  “No, I couldn’t,” she said sadly. “The vision came too fast. He died before I could even call the police.” She swallowed. “But if I saw something ahead of time, about you—hypothetically—would you want to be warned? Even if you knew it was set in stone?”

  Paula paused thoughtfully. “Is it really, though? Set in stone, I mean?”

  Tears stung Mac’s eyes. “So far. I’ve never seen anything that didn’t happen. It always comes true, Paula. Always.”

  “Then, yes.” Paula gave a brisk nod. “I would want to know.”

  “Really?”

  “Sure. I’d get my affairs in order. Make amends. Leave nothing unsaid. I’d want to enjoy every second I had left.”

  Mac fell silent, wondering if that’s what Will would do. Straighten his affairs, enjoy his last moments?

  Somehow she couldn’t picture it. Knowing Will, he’d push everyone away—for their own good, of course. He’d say a quick goodbye and disappear, wanting to protect the people in his life from unnecessary heartache.

  And although she hadn’t seen or spoken to him in days, the thought of him leaving turned her insides. If he knew he was going to die, he would push her away, while she would want nothing more than to keep him as close as she could.

  A helicopter falling from the sky…

  She shoved the horrific image aside and straightened her shoulders. She might not be able to change the future, but she sure as hell could change the present.

  “Tomorrow,” she announced.

  The older woman looked startled. “What?”

  “If I don’t hear from Will tonight, I’m calling him first thing tomorrow.”

  Paula grinned. “Good girl.”

  Mac drew in a calming breath and repeated the word in her head.

  Tomorrow.

  “SO?”

  Will stared into Shelby’s excited blue eyes and wondered if he was nuts for actually seeing the merit of this crazy scheme. It didn’t help that he was feeling pretty disoriented, considering the two women had come knocking on his door at six in the morning and interrupted his much-needed sleep. He hadn’t slept much since his night with Mackenzie. Too much tossing and turning and cursing her for being so damn stubborn.

  With a groan, he rubbed his tired eyes and rose from the couch, where Holly and Shelby had sandwiched him after he’d led them into the tiny living room of his even tinier bungalow. This place had never quite felt like home to him. It kept him close to the base, but that was the only draw about it. To him, home was Hunter Ridge. And not the two-story redbrick house he’d grown up in, which was now occupied by another family. Nope. Home was Mackenzie’s creaky old farmhouse, the only place where he felt truly like himself.

  Home was Mackenzie.


  “Come on, Will,” Holly said as she trailed after him into the kitchen. “You know this is a good plan.”

  “You know it is,” Shelby chimed in.

  “Would you at least let me make a cup of coffee before we discuss this juvenile bullshit?” he grumbled. Striding over to the counter, he clicked on the coffeemaker and then grabbed a mug from the cabinet over the sink. “You guys want any?”

  Both women shook their heads, then waited patiently as he fixed himself a cup of black coffee. But he could see the unrestrained enthusiasm in their eyes. Leaning against the fridge, he gulped down the scalding liquid and waited for the java to do its thing. Almost instantly he felt alert, his mind sharpened by the caffeine. But while the sharp mind should’ve kick-started his usually excellent common sense, he still found himself intrigued by the women’s ridiculous plan.

  Obviously picking up on his interest, Shelby gave a delighted laugh. “You think it’ll work, don’t you?”

  Sipping his coffee, he eyed them over the rim of his mug. “I’ll admit, it’s not a bad idea.”

  Holly grinned. “So when do we leave?”

  He scratched the stubble on his chin with his free hand. “I’m not saying I’ll do it.”

  “Of course you’ll do it,” Holly said. Her grin widened. “This is going to be so much fun.”

  Will eyed the brunette. “Have you spoken to Carson about this idea? You know, your live-in boyfriend? I hardly think he’s going to agree to this.”

  Holly shrugged. “Sure he will. He’s been saying for ages how you need to settle down.”

  “I’m perfectly willing to settle down. It’s the woman I want to settle down with who’s not being cooperative.”

  “Which is why we’re going to kick some sense into her stubborn head,” Holly said breezily. “Trust me, no woman wants to see the man she loves with another woman. The claws always come out when a chick feels threatened.”

  Will chuckled. “Sure you want to face those claws, Hol? Mac’s a lot tougher than you think.”

  Holly smirked. “I can handle her.”

  Next to her, Shelby laughed. “Can I be there when we tell Carson about this?”

  “I still haven’t agreed,” Will interjected, sipping his coffee again.

  But the protest was futile, because they all knew he would do it. Childish as this plan was, he suspected it might be exactly what Mackenzie needed. Although he wouldn’t go as far as to say she’d taken him for granted, he did believe there was some truth to that.

  Since they were fifteen years old, Mac had leaned on him for support. Whether she’d been upset about the visions or complaining about her older sister, who’d been appointed Mac’s guardian after their parents died, Will always offered his ear and his shoulder. He’d watched her date other guys, listened to her describe her sexual fantasies, and through it all, Mac had continued to ignore the chemistry between them.

  But while she’d had no problem introducing Will to whatever boyfriend she was with at the time, he’d never taken a woman back to Hunter Ridge before. And there had definitely been other women. Warm, willing females with whom he’d passed the time and dated in an attempt to forget Mackenzie.

  What would she do if he brought a woman home? Would it tear at her insides the way the sight of her with other men tore at his?

  Would she finally find the strength to admit she loved him as much as he loved her?

  He didn’t know the answer to any of those questions, but he was damn well going to try and get ’em.

  He slammed his mug down on the counter and set his jaw. “You know what? Scratch that. I have agreed.” He fixed a determined stare at Holly. “We leave tomorrow.”

  “YOU WANT TO BORROW MY GIRLFRIEND?” With an outraged curse, Carson dropped the box in his hands so he could curl both fists and wave them in front of Will.

  The cardboard box smashed onto the floor of Carson and Holly’s new glorious kitchen with a resounding thunk and the distinct sound of glass shattering.

  “My new plates!” Holly wailed, immediately sinking to her knees. She ripped open the tape closing the two flaps together and peered into the box. Then she looked up at Carson in horror. “You’re a monster!”

  Carson scowled at her. “I’ll buy you new plates.” The scowl deepened. “That is, if I decide not to break up with you. I can’t believe this was your idea. I told Garrett you and Shelby shouldn’t hang out. The two of you are trouble together.”

  “They’re just trying to help me out,” Will pointed out, experiencing a jolt of sympathy at the despair on Holly’s face. He swiftly knelt down and tried to pry her hands out of the box. “Quit sticking your fingers in there, Hol. It’s filled with broken glass.”

  Carson released an enraged roar. “Don’t you dare comfort my girlfriend. My girlfriend!”

  Holly got to her feet and planted her hands on her hips. “Now I’m definitely going,” she shot back. “You broke my plates.”

  “So you’re going to play house with my lieutenant as punishment?”

  “He’s in love with another woman!”

  “Well, I’m in love with you!”

  Holly’s eyes softened. “Doesn’t it make you love me more knowing I’m willing to help one of your friends?”

  Carson sighed. “What is it with you and helping people? Didn’t we just decide you’re not going to drop everything for your family anymore?”

  “This isn’t my family. It’s yours.”

  “Will and I aren’t related.”

  “You’re SEALs. Of course you’re related.”

  Another sigh. “Yeah, you’re right.” Carson took a step forward and pulled Holly into his arms. “Fine, you can go.”

  “Really?”

  “I just said it, didn’t I?”

  Holly threw her arms around her boyfriend, and the two proceeded to make out as if Will wasn’t in the kitchen.

  He shook his head to himself. He wasn’t really sure how they’d gone from furious to calm to horny in a matter of seconds, but he wasn’t complaining. Ever since Holly and Shelby had burst into his house this morning, he’d been warming up to the plan, starting to believe it might actually work. He was glad Carson hadn’t put up more of a fight.

  Slipping his hands in the pockets of his khakis, he let the couple smooch a while longer, then cleared his throat. “Uh, guys?”

  They pulled apart sheepishly. “Sorry,” Holly said. “Forgot you were here.”

  Story of his life, women forgetting he was standing right in front of them.

  Hopefully not for much longer, though.

  “So how is this going to work?” Carson asked, bending down to retrieve the fallen box. He glanced at his girlfriend. “I’m sorry about the plates, sweetheart. We’ll go out and buy some next week, ’kay?”

  “I’m holding you to that.” With a stern look, she headed for the fridge and grabbed a can of soda. “Anyway, Will and I are going to Hunter Ridge tomorrow. Apparently there’s some fair going on this weekend.”

  “Carnival,” Will corrected. “It’s an annual thing.”

  Last year he’d skipped the carnival. Mac had been dating Dan, the owner of the hardware store, and Will wasn’t keen on the idea of seeing them. When they were teenagers, he and Mac had always gone to the carnival together. They used to ride the Ferris wheel for hours, talking about everything and anything while they shared a bag of cotton candy. Nothing had changed once they’d gotten older. They still rode that Ferris wheel and munched on that cotton candy every year when the carnival came to town. Last year was the first time he’d missed it.

  And this year, well, this year he’d be the one with the date. A part of him got perverse satisfaction from knowing Mackenzie would finally feel that same bitter jealousy he’d experienced when she decided to go to the carnival with another man.

  “So you’re taking my girlfriend to a carnival in your no-horse town?” Carson rolled his eyes. “Sounds like, uh, fun.”

  “We’re going to make Mac jeal
ous,” Holly reminded him. “The carnival is their thing.”

  “We’ll only be gone for one night,” Will said. “I promise to have her back Saturday night.”

  Carson narrowed his eyes. “And where exactly will the two of you sleep?”

  Will shrugged. “Only one place to stay in town. Harriet Jones’ B&B.”

  “Two rooms?”

  He glanced at his feet. “One.” Before Carson could start yelling again, he quickly added, “I’ll sleep on the floor. Fully clothed.”

  “I’ll sleep naked,” Holly piped up.

  Carson shot her a glare. “If you do, I’ll smash every piece of china in this place.”

  “Fine.” She smiled impishly. “I’ll wear the black lace teddy you bought me for my birthday.”

  Will let out a sigh. “That was way too much information.” He glanced at Carson. “So are you cool with this, man?”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  Holly smiled broadly. “No.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The carnival workers were setting up when Mackenzie strode out of Paula’s general store on Friday afternoon. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the carnival this year. It had always been her and Will’s thing, except for last year when he’d been out of the country…though a part of her still suspected he’d been happy to miss the event. She’d been dating Dan then, and she’d gotten the feeling Will wasn’t comfortable around her ex-boyfriend.

  Oh, who was she kidding? Of course he wasn’t comfortable. What man would want to spend time with the boyfriend of the woman he loved?

  Love. For fifteen years she’d tried not to think about that word, but after what happened between them last week—the staggering, unbelievable sex—she couldn’t bury her head in the sand any longer. Will loved her. She’d seen it in his eyes that night, heard it in his voice, felt it in his kiss.