All You Can Handle (Moments In Maplesville Book 5) (13 page)

“But we’ve been careful not to—”

Kiera cut her off. “Kids are smart. Adults tend to forget that.” She walked over to Sonny and patted her shoulder. “Take my advice, don’t fight it. You’ll just end up being frustrated at all the time the two of you wasted when you inevitably do get together.”

“It sounds as if you’re speaking from experience. Did you and Trey waste a lot of time?”

Kiera nodded, her face becoming serious. “We wasted nearly fifteen years. Don’t do what we did.”

Sonny stared at her for a moment, contemplating the cautionary tone in her voice. After wasting so many years with the wrong man, she was hesitant to even think about diving into a serious relationship.

Yet, lately, the thought of her friendship with Ian not moving toward anything more than what it was caused an odd feeling to swirl around in her gut. The desire to explore the attraction that sizzled between her and Ian every time they looked at each other was so strong, Sonny wasn’t sure how much longer she could fight it.

She hung her apron on the hook just left of the food truck’s rear door and went out to explore. She was surprised by how many faces she recognized in the throng of people ambling around the church grounds. She wasn’t sure when or even how it had happened, but somehow over the past few weeks she’d grown used to this little town. It would make leaving even harder when the time came to move on.

But you will.

Yes, she would. Because being tied down, even to a town as sweet and charming as Maplesville, was not part of her plan.

But at least you can enjoy it while you’re here.

The weather could not have been more perfect for the fair. Plenty of sunshine, mild temperatures and a gentle breeze that carried the delicious smells of all the food just waiting to be sampled.

She came upon the sweets booth and nearly lost her mind at the oodles of desserts stretched out before her. Sonny loved putting together her gourmet creations, but there was nothing better than sour cream cake and sweet potato pie made by honest-to-goodness church ladies. She saw her Maw Maw Jean in every one of their faces.

A huge white tent had been erected in the middle of the grounds. There was a main stage on one end, with a short runway that jutted out from the center. Sonny now realized it was for the fashion show that she just
had
to attend.

The rows of chairs were sparsely populated as another of the gospel choirs that had been singing under the big tent throughout the morning began a hymn. Their soulful songs reminded her of those summers in west Louisiana. Her parents had never been regular churchgoers, but when she visited Maw Maw Jean they attended services every Sunday. Sonny suddenly realized she hadn’t stepped foot in a church since her grandmother’s funeral.

As she strolled over to where the car show was taking place, she couldn’t help but think of her dad. Back before the Nobel Prize nomination, when he’d been just an average heart surgeon with normal—though still crazy busy—work hours, he loved visiting local antique and classic car shows. There was a red and white ’54 Ford Fairland in pristine condition among the cars lined up in St. Michael’s asphalt parking lot. He would go wild for that car.

She had her dad to thank for her VW Bug. He’d instilled that appreciation for classic automobiles in her a long time ago.

Sonny tossed all thoughts of him from her mind. Thinking about her dad and their soured relationship would kill her mood. She was at a church fair, for crying out loud. Happy thoughts should be easy to come by, right?

Heck, all she needed to think about was the softball game currently in progress toward the rear of the grounds. It was sure to inspire all manner of happy thoughts. She wasn’t particularly fond of softball. It was one of the softball players who’d caught her eye. Kiera had been telling the truth. For the past hour, whenever she went over to the window to take orders, Sonny couldn’t stop herself from catching a peek.

She’d spent the past three days since their motorcycle ride avoiding Ian as best she could. That afternoon near the pond had signaled a shift between them. Unlike their encounter in the parking lot of The Corral, which had been satisfying as hell, but purely physical, what transpired between them on Wednesday had gone far beyond satisfying a sexual ache. Ian had touched an emotional plane that Sonny thought she’d closed off more than a year ago.

She’d been so careful not to let anyone reach that far, but he’d reached it on the bank of that pond. He’d connected with that closely guarded part of her soul, the part she was so afraid to leave exposed.

That panicky feeling climbed up Sonny’s throat whenever she thought about the look of determination on Ian’s face. They’d been on the same page as far as their relationship was concerned. Simply, that there would be no relationship. But when they arrived home Wednesday night, Ian insisted they discuss what happened.

Kimmie’s interruption had saved her. When the little girl came into the garage to throw in a load of laundry, Sonny had used the opportunity to go up to her apartment. She’d made sure Vanessa Chauvin had included a line in the rental agreement she signed that her boundaries must be respected, so she knew Ian wouldn’t enter her apartment unless she invited him. Which she hadn’t.

Thankfully, he was back to working the night shift, so by the time she arrived home from the catering company he was already at work, and vice versa. However, she couldn’t avoid him today. And, honestly, she didn’t want to, not after seeing him flexing on the softball field.

The absolute best was when she caught him standing with his back to her; his feet braced apart, his arms crossed over his chest. His stance caused his white t-shirt to stretch across his solid back muscles, the hem of the shirt tapering to his waist. He’d looked too sinfully good to be standing so close to a church. She’d wanted to run her hands around his waist and lean her face against his warm back. Then she wanted his clothes to disappear.

Sonny barely held in the moan that nearly escaped.

What made her think that an underwear-swimming and blowjob combo was a bright idea?

As if she needed even more memories of Ian’s delectable body to torture her at night. Or every minute of the day. After their little escapade at Ponderosa Pond, her mind seemed determined to conjure the filthiest thoughts imaginable. She lived for those filthy thoughts.

There was an announcement over the loud speaker that the kids’ fashion show was about to start, so she made her way to the big tent. It was standing room only by the time Sonny arrived, but it was worth standing to see the kids doing their best New-York-model strut across the stage. Kiera was right, this
was
the most adorable thing she’d ever witnessed. She wished she’d known about the show sooner. She would have tried to convince Kimmie to take part in the eleven- to thirteen-year-old category.

Once the fashion show ended all participants were awarded tickets for the carnival rides. Sonny quickly left the tent, making a beeline straight for the Ferris wheel before the line got too long.

She was halfway to the ride when Ian fell in step next to her.

“So, you were finally able to break away from the food truck, huh?” he asked.

Sonny glanced over at him and felt a sudden burst of instant happiness. It came upon her too quickly to curb it. How was he capable of affecting her mood with his mere presence?

“Yes,” she answered. “But just for a little while. I don’t want to leave Kiera alone in the truck for too long.”

The electricity hovering between them had been there since they first met, but it had intensified ten-fold since Wednesday afternoon at Ponderosa Pond.

She waited for him to bring it up, but instead he asked, “Where are you heading?”

Sonny’s shoulders wilted with relief. She wasn’t up for that discussion, especially in the middle of a church fair. She pointed straight ahead to the Ferris wheel.

“On my way to my favorite ride.”

Ian’s steps slowed. “I don’t do heights.”

“It’s not that high,” she said. She debated for a second before she said, “You can join me if you want to.”

“On a Ferris wheel?” He stopped, shaking his head. “No way.”

“Don’t tell me you’re scared.” Sonny captured his hand and tugged, but Ian wouldn’t budge. “Oh, come on. What happened to the risk taker from a couple of days ago?”

His brow cocked. “You’re actually going there?”

Sonny wanted to kick herself. Heat suffused every part of her body. She’d spent the past few days doing everything she could to avoid talking about that afternoon, and there she was bringing it up.

“I thought you were trying to forget that day ever happened,” Ian continued. “Since, you know, you’ve dodged me like I’ve got a bad case of the measles since Wednesday.”

“I haven’t necessarily been avoiding you,” she lied. She’d
totally
been avoiding him. “I’ve just been busy.”

He continued to stare at her with that I’m-not-buying-your-bullshit look on his face. Sonny couldn’t blame him, she wouldn’t buy that lame excuse, either.

“Can we not talk about this right now?” she asked. “Please, Ian. I just want to ride the Ferris wheel before I have to get back to Kiera’s truck.”

His insistent stare told Sonny that he wouldn’t let her get away with shelving this issue for much longer. But she only had to fight it until the end of the month. Then she could decide whether to move out of the apartment or to leave Maplesville all together.

Finally, Ian relented. “Okay, I’ll ride the Ferris wheel with you. But, I swear, if you rock the car there will be hell to pay.”

“No rocking.” She laughed. “I promise.”

They came upon the Ferris wheel which, thankfully, didn’t have a long line. She’d promised Kiera she would be back by four o’clock, which gave her a little over fifteen minutes.

Ian gestured for her to go ahead of him as they walked up the ramp and onto the ride. The carnival worker held the slightly rocking car so they could both get in. Then he raised the metal gate up, locking them in place.

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into doing this,” Ian said. “I should have demanded something in return.”

“Like what?”

Sonny knew his answer even before his knowing gaze settled on her. He leaned over, and in a husky voice that sent goose bumps pebbling across her skin, said, “Do you really need me to answer that?”

God, no. She didn’t need to hear what he would have demanded of her, but she
wanted
to hear it.

The Ferris wheel jerked into motion and Ian nearly toppled out of the seat.

“Oh, shit,” he said, his knuckles stretching his skin as he gripped the iron bar.

Sonny tried to remain quiet, but she couldn’t help it. Laughter spilled forth from her mouth.

Ian’s shocked glare darted toward her. “Seriously? You’re making fun of me?”

“I didn’t think you were serious when you said you didn’t like Ferris wheels.”

“Why would I lie about that? Have you seen a single episode of one of those caught on camera shows? There’s always video of some carnival ride going haywire, and it’s usually the Ferris wheel. Either it breaks down and people get stuck on it for hours, or one of these damn cars breaks loose and goes flying into the crowd.” He cursed underneath his breath.

Despite her better judgment, Sonny scooted closer, taking care not to shake the car. She looped her arm around his and nestled against his side.

“I’m sorry for goading you into joining me,” she said.

He released a sigh before he said, “I’m not.” She looked up at him, her brows arching. “If I’m going to be frightened to death, I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather be with before I die.”

She burst out laughing again. “How can you be both morbid and sweet?”

“It’s a special talent.”

Chuckling, she snuggled even closer to him as she looked out over the fairgrounds; the white peaks of the booths surrounding the grounds looking like little perfectly shaped mountains.

“It’s been ages since I rode a Ferris wheel,” she said, “Actually, it’s been ages since I did anything fun.”

“Except for this past Wednesday, right?”

Her cheeks warmed. “This past Wednesday notwithstanding. Or that Monday I first met you at The Corral.”

“Look at that. I’m the highlight of your life. You hadn’t even realized it.”

“It would appear so, wouldn’t it?” Sonny laughed. She did that so much around him.

“So, why weren’t you having any fun before you came to Maplesville and discovered the magic that is me?”

“Maybe it was wrong to say that I haven’t been having fun, but it just seems as if I’ve had more and more reasons to celebrate since coming here. My job with Kiera, for one thing. Do you know how long I’ve dreamed of being a pastry chef? I’m finally doing what I’ve been wanting to do for years. If that’s not a reason to celebrate I don’t know what is.”

“Maybe once we’re done with Kimmie’s party we can come up with a way for you to mark the occasion.”

She looked over at him. “Actually, I was celebrating my new job with Kiera the night we met.”

Ian’s eyes instantly smoldered. “In that case I think an encore is in order.”

A slow warmth spread across Sonny’s skin. She thought about what Kiera had said. If what her boss had said was true, that the sexual chemistry between them was apparent, even to a twelve-year-old, then what sense did it make to fight it?

Ian grabbed her hand in a vice grip. “Is it starting to go faster?”

“You really are scared,” she said. She squeezed his hand. “It’ll be over in a minute.”

Ian didn’t ease the death grip on her hand until the ride came to a safe stop at the top of the ramp. He loosened his hold, but didn’t let go. Sonny wasn’t inclined to let go either. Even though she knew she should. Even though she knew that every second she allowed herself to grow closer to him, it would just make it that much harder when she inevitably left.

Yet, still, she didn’t let go of his hand.

They walked off the ride and started back for the booths, their clasped hands swinging gently. Sonny recognized that she was only fooling herself by pretending there was nothing happening between them, but she only had to pretend until the end of the month.