Dandelion Wishes (Harper's Mill Book 3) Read online

  Hands down, she had the best parents in the world.

  “I have a shift at the farm,” Violet said with a minor grumble.

  Diana Race made a sympathetic sound. “Picking or weighing?”

  “Weighing,” Violet said. “We have a church group coming in for Pick Your Own Strawberries first thing this morning and Aunt Eden asked me to come in and help. It’s not so bad and I’m done by noon but…” she let her voice trail off.

  “But you were hoping to relax with a book on your first day of summer break?” her mom said with a smile.

  “Exactly.” Violet’s coffee finished pouring through the small cup and she shared a grin with her mom. “But I already know how I am spending the afternoon so it’s all good.”

  “Got a date tonight, dear?”

  “No, I was going to lay out in the back yard for a while then after Amy gets off work, she invited me over for a sleepover.”

  “Just be careful you don’t burn,” Diana said.

  “I’ll be careful, Mom.”

  “Will Amy be able to join us for the Summer Solstice Celebration this year?”

  Violet nodded. “Emma already posted the hours on the door. The Club will be closed so no one will have an excuse for missing the party.” Amy and her sister Emma owned the local diner, The Breakfast Club. Because of the central location of the restaurant and the prominence of the family, the Evanses often led by example when local events were scheduled.

  “I have garden club tonight after dinner,” her mother said. “Your father has already been warned and is getting dinner at the Fire Box.”

  Violet laughed. A Race by marriage over bloodlines, her mom’s “garden club” meetings were more rosé than roses. “I will be far away from home before you and Mrs. Decker decide to break open the bottle of Pinot Grigio,” she teased. “Daddy will probably be with his brothers. I’ll grab something at the Club. Love you!” Blowing a kiss at her mother, she climbed into her truck and went to work.

  ~~~

  Violet was home, as planned, shortly before noon. The house was empty while she changed into her bathing suit and grabbed her latest book, a biography of her favorite mathematician, Paul Erdős.

  She heard Brick’s truck park in the driveway and grinned as she applied another generous helping of sunscreen.

  A gentle smile played around her lips. Maybe he could be teased into applying it to her back.

  “You must have a sixth sense,” Violet accused as he approached her.

  “How so?” Brick asked.

  “You always get here right when I’m hungry.”

  “That’s not a trick,” he teased. “You’re always hungry.” Brick laughed and dodged the water bottle she threw at him. “Actually, I came to ask for some help.”

  Violet smiled up at Brick. Her best friend since she was three years old, she was excited to have him home for the summer. College had been good to him, she decided. Tall, athletic, with an ever so slightly crooked smile she found endearing, his shoulders had filled out and he had lost some of that lankiness he’d still had at Christmas. She was hoping this summer would take them from friends to lovers.

  Her first and only lover.

  Long ago, amidst wishing on dandelions and counting constellations in the night sky, she had decided all her firsts would be with Brick Hamilton. She wanted what her parents had – a forever kind of love.

  “For what, Brick?” she asked absently, looking up from her book. She handed him the bottle of SPF 40 and settled on her stomach.

  She loved June in Harper’s Mill – long hot summer days capped at both ends by cool mornings and delicious nights. Her father’s berry patch was in fruit and the air was heavy with the scents of growth and sunshine. Everywhere she looked, summer was in full bloom. Honey bees were busily sipping nectar and pollinating for the long growing season ahead.

  Exams were over, the Solstice was coming up, and Violet enjoyed the peaceful easy afternoon. Warm summer sun turned her pale skin a soft golden shade while the rest of the season lay before her, spread out like a banquet. Brick was home from school and, if all went according to plan, they would move from friends to lovers in no time.

  The thrill and power of youth surged through her, leaving a shimmering contentment in its wake.

  She had even managed a quick dip in the pool before settling in with her book and a bottle of water. A bottle, she realized, that was no longer in easy reach.

  She tensed only slightly when she felt the cool squirt of lotion on her back followed by the heavenly feel of Brick’s strong hands as he worked each drop into her skin.

  “I have a date tonight,” he said, his voice sounding tense in the afternoon air. “With Mandy.”

  Violet felt her breathing still with shock. “When did you see her? She doesn’t hang out much in town since she started going to Harper’s Academy,” she said, referring to the large private school named after the founder of Harper’s Mill. Transferring out of Harper Regional had given Violet the best gift ever – a Mandy-free senior year.

  “You know,” Brick said, his voice tense. “Around.”

  Violet struggled to breathe through the jealousy pulsing through her.

  This was not in her plan!

  “I wanted to clean the truck up before I picked her up,” Brick confided, his mid-range baritone rising with excitement. “You know, for our date.”

  “With you?” Violet clarified, feeling the blood drain from her face as her recent contentment took off faster than a rabbit with a dog on its tail. Her mind immediately turned to Amy’s warning. Was this what she why she needed to stay calm? Brick was supposed to be hers! Would she always live in the shadow of Mean Girl Number One?

  “Of course, me. Who else would she go out with?” Brick asked.

  “The entire track team,” Violet muttered, perhaps a bit unfairly. But really. Who could be fair at a time like this?

  “What’s that?”

  “Nothing,” she sighed. “So, you’re having your first official date?” Hope was such a mean, cruel mistress, she decided. Was the hope of a relationship all she would have with Brick? Her heart wanted much more than hope and friendship.

  What if Brick wasn’t her true love? For the first time, Violet worried she had chosen the wrong man.

  Maybe it was time for a visit to the old orchard.

  Rumors about the Race family and their ties to the land had swirled around since before Violet’s birth. Her favorite was the Legend of First Daughter.

  Legend had it that when Elijah and Edith Race found the land that would be theirs, the old apple tree had been in full fruit and stood strong against the original homestead.

  Violet had inherited the Race green thumb, but it was her Aunt Eden who had inherited the responsibility of the family orchard. Her aunt who was the guardian of First Daughter.

  And it was the First Daughter, a preternaturally ancient apple tree with roots which spread all over Harper’s Mill, that was reputed to grant a vision of your true love after eating one bite of her apples.

  Violet’s mouth watered as she longed, for the first time, to take a bite from one of the Daughter’s apples. She wanted to know, in the same way the Evans family knew. That wasn’t her gift, but at least where true love was concerned, she could make it her gift.

  If the rumors about the Daughter were true.

  “I already made reservations at the Fire Box and now I just need to wash the car,” Brick said. “Wanna help?”

  Violet swallowed, glad her eyes were hidden beneath dark glasses. Brick was supposed to have woken up and noticed her this summer, not start dating Mandy freaking Jones. She had been firmly, completely friend-zoned by Brick and she had no idea how to wake him up.

  “I’m working on my tan,” she said, tossing her long strawberry blonde hair behind her back and settling back into her chair. Help him get ready for a date with another woman? No, thank you.

  “You’re a pale red head,” Brick said. “You don’t tan, you freckle.”
>
  Violet sniffed. “I want to finish my book and then I’m meeting Amy later for dinner at the Club and a sleep over.” Not that it was any of his business.

  It didn’t matter that she and Brick had never dated. She’d been in love with him since she was thirteen years old when he had helped her pick up her books after that stupid cow Mandy Jones had pushed her after third-period health class. From that day forward, Mandy and Violet’s general dislike for each other had only grown.

  “Please?” Brick said, drawing the word out, making her smile reluctantly. “You’re my best friend, Vee. I want to spend time with you, too.”

  Too, Violet thought, murderously annoyed that she was an add-on to his day when she wanted to make him her entire world.

  “Don’t make me beg, Vee. We haven’t talked much all semester and I’ve missed you. How did the Blueberry festival go last month?”

  Big baby browns, Violet decided, were her complete downfall. Maybe it was a good thing she would never be with Brick, she thought, trying to be philosophical. Their children would probably inherit his big brown eyes and she’d be so screwed every time she had to discipline one of them.

  She shrugged and marked her page in the book. “You know I can’t resist you,” she said, grumpily. “And the festival went well except for when Chloe Harper got the blueberry spritzer confused with the blueberry wine and Pastor Michael got tipsy.

  Brick laughed. “She did not,” he said but paused for a moment as she didn’t laugh. “Did she?”

  Her lips twisted in a gentle smile. “She did, but Pastor Mike only had one glass.”

  Brick hugged her easily, basking in her tale. “You’re the best, Vee,” he said. He meant to pat her on the back but somehow missed. Either she had gotten taller or his hand lost its aim because he was pretty sure he patted the firm curve of her butt. “Go get decent. Let’s wash the truck and I’ll treat for burgers at the Breakfast Club.”

  The hug was over far too soon and Violet found herself propelled into the house for a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

  ~~~

  Brick stared after Vee with something akin to hunger in his eyes. How had he never before seen how beautiful she was?

  When had Vee grown up? As she walked into the house, her ass jiggled slightly in the confines of her fairly modest bikini. His hands longed to grip her ass with both hands while pounding them both into orgasm.

  And the things he wanted to do with her tits? His cock swelled with his thoughts but he shook them off. Creamy and full, they had strained the confines of the meager bikini top she wore. It wouldn’t have taken a moment to undo her top and bury his kisses within their full sweetness.

  Mandy, he reminded himself. He had a date with Mandy. He wasn’t going to get serious over Violet Race. He was only twenty-one and Violet was a forever kind of girl. He wasn’t ready for forever. And besides, Violet was a Harper’s Mill girl, through and through. No way would she consider following him around from base to base as his wife.

  Wife? he thought with panic.

  He had plans and his conversation this morning with Nuge convinced him of his path. He was done with college and a four-year stint in the Navy would be just the thing to let him meet people and see the world outside of Harper’s Mill.

  Tension beat at him and his anxiety spiked as the thought of breaking the news to Violet.

  He panicked for a moment but shrugged philosophically. It didn’t matter. They would talk about it while washing his truck, she would be hurt but she’d understand and everything would be perfect.

  Just perfect.

  Despite what his parent’s thought, Brick wasn’t an idiot. He wanted to date Mandy. He wanted to laugh with a girl who would never be his bride. He wanted to hold hands with someone who asked nothing of him-expected nothing from him - except the momentary pleasure of his company. Despite whatever hurt it might cause Violet, he was determined to go through with it. He had asked, Mandy had accepted. It was a done deal.

  But it would also serve to remind Violet they were “just friends” and maintain their friendship.

  It would be perfect, he thought again, wondering when he had become addicted to that word.

  Just perfect.

  Like Violet’s ass.

  No. Not like Violet’s ass, although her bottom was perfect.

  Stop that!

  He closed his eyes, trying to picture Mandy’s ass. She had one, right? He was sure she did, but all he could picture at the moment was the soft curve and gentle jiggle of Violet’s backside.

  Tonight couldn’t come fast enough, he decided.

  Violet was his friend. His best friend. He wasn’t going to fuck it all up over a boner.

  Even if it was the biggest boner he’d ever had. Like in the history of forever.

  ~~~

  “Why Brick, Violet didn’t tell me you were visiting. Are you thirsty? What can I get you?”

  “Oh, no thank you, Mrs. Race,” Brick said with a smile, brushing a kiss across Diana’s cheek. “I got home a week ago but Dad has been keeping me busy. He’s working on a sweet ’56 Chevy and put me to work rebuilding the carburetor on Mr. Baldwin’s Dodge Charger.”

  “That is an awesome car,” Diana said.

  Brick shrugged. “I’ve always been partial to the late 60’s muscle cars,” he admitted. “I’m hoping I can be part of the test ride before we call Mr. Baldwin to pick her up.”

  “Talking cars again, Brick Hamilton?” Violet asked as she joined them.

  Brick stared at her for a long moment, taking in every inch of Violet’s appearance. An oversize shirt was knotted at her waist, revealing a tanned, toned, and sexy as fuck strip of skin that he wanted to explore with the tip of his tongue. Her soft large tits – good grief when had they gotten that big? – were clearly outlined in her bikini top. Scandalously short cutoffs met mile long legs before finishing with a pair of Chuck Taylors that had definitely seen better days. His heart beat against his chest without mercy.

  She was beautiful.

  His mouth grew dry and time stood still. For a moment, he lost all sense of time and place and even his own name.

  He swallowed. Hard. And suddenly wished he had that glass of lemonade Mrs. Race had just offered him.

  “Is that my shirt?” Brick finally asked. Something hard and greedy hit him and he wanted her covered and marked for all time. In his clothing, in his bed, with his scent. Wearing his ring.

  Forever.

  Woah. Fuck. Where had that come from?

  He shook his head to clear it of the dirty and possessive thoughts that had invaded it lately. He was horny, that’s all. He was a young healthy male. There was nothing new about wanting to finally have sex. His own fist was growing old, fast. But Violet Race was not the girl for an easy toss. She was for flowers and wedding rings and happily ever afters.

  He had to stop having dangerous, lust-provoking thoughts about his best friend. She was absolutely positively off-limits. He couldn’t imagine life without her and if a relationship didn’t work out between them, he would lose her completely. He couldn’t mess up a friendship without being certain there was something deeper between them.

  And now, he vehemently reminded himself, was not the time for a relationship. Not with so much undecided and undeclared between them.

  Violet shrugged with casual nonchalance, as though Brick’s very sanity didn’t hang in the balance. “You weren’t the only football player at Harper’s Mill Regional,” she said.

  “Who else gave you a t-shirt?” Brick asked, shocked to find anger rising within him. Was Violet dating someone?

  Without bothering to think why, the thought of Vee with a boyfriend enraged him and made him want to punch something. Or someone. It was such a kneejerk reaction; he opened his mouth to demand names and places so he could pound the right person.

  Luckily, Violet just rolled her eyes and shot him a confused look. “Don’t be an idiot,” she said. “You gave this to me after we got caught in the rain after homecom
ing last year and my dress got ruined. Remember?” Her large hazel eyes watched him. “Do you want it back?” she asked, pulling at the knot at her waist.

  “No,” Brick said, a little louder than he intended.

  Diana smiled knowingly at them before brushing a kiss across her daughter’s cheek. “You kids have fun. Don’t forget, I’m hosting the garden club tonight. Please be quiet when you come home later, okay?”

  Violet smiled at her mom and lifted her backpack for inspection. “Going to Amy’s after I’m done and Brick feeds me,” she reminded her mother. “You going to stock up on more wine?” she asked, nodding to the keys in her mom’s hand.

  Her mother laughed throatily and Brick had a brief flash of knowledge at how Vee was going to look in thirty years. Beautiful. Happy. Sexy as sin.

  And undeniably his.

  Doubt charged at Brick with all the force of an opposing linebacker. Could he be have made a mistake in asking Mandy out? Could he have what he wanted with Violet?

  Would she understand his need to see more of the world than just their small piece of New Jersey?

  Years ago, the summer he turned 16, he and Violet and a few of their friends had gone tubing on the Paulinskill. The river had been swollen from several late spring showers and soon they were swirling along at a pace that was just shy of out of control in water too deep to see bottom. At one point, Brick was caught in a current, unable to find purchase or swim for shore. Panic rose and in the moments before finding slower water, he thought he was going to die.

  He felt a little like that, now. Confused. Lost. Was he making a mistake?

  Chapter Two

  The bell over the door chimed cheerfully. “Hey guys, how are you?” Emma Evans, the owner of The Breakfast Club, greeted them. “Pick a table,” she said with a wave of her hand.

  “Hey, Em,” Violet greeted her best friend’s sister.

  They took seats overlooking Harper Falls, not bothering with the menu.

  “I can’t believe you came out looking like that,” Brick said grumpily.

  Emma approached with two tall glasses of darkly bubbling cola and placed them in front of them. “Two cheeseburgers, one with fries and one with onion rings?” she guessed.