A Fool's Gold Wedding - Susan Mallery Page 0,23
his brother had told him he was pleased that Joaquin was finally taking time off work. As if Joaquin had gone to Fool’s Gold to rest up. Guilt had assaulted him, making him unable to speak the truth.
He wanted to have decided to visit for a different reason, only he hadn’t and there was no going back. He knew there was no way he would have simply visited anywhere. He wasn’t that type of person—or he hadn’t been.
He arrived in town and drove directly to Abby’s house. When he parked, he realized he shouldn’t just show up—that he should have texted her he was on his way. What if she wasn’t home? What if she had plans? What if she was with someone else?
That latter thought had him out of his car and heading for the front door. Abby opened it before he reached the porch. She grinned at him, then raced toward him and flung herself at him. He grabbed her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close before kissing her.
She tasted sweet and tempting and he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted a woman. This wasn’t about a biological need for release—this was about Abby specifically.
But her recent confession of her virginity meant he was going to have to go more slowly, so he could earn his place in her life. He released her, then cupped her face.
“I’m back.”
She smiled up at him. “I can see that. You missed Melissa by about an hour, which is too bad, but to make up for that, I’m going to take you to the Dog Days of Summer festival. It goes until sundown so we have a few hours.”
“I’ve never been to a festival.”
Her eyes widened with surprise. “Seriously?”
He’d never wanted to go, but that was hardly the point. “I know,” he said, his voice teasing. “How sad is that?”
“Terribly sad. Let me put on some shoes and we can go right now.”
She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the house. He followed her upstairs, not sure of their destination, then was startled when they entered what was obviously her bedroom.
The room was large, with a big window. There was a full-size bed, a dresser, a bookshelf and a desk. The walls, the bedspread and the throw rugs were all different shades of pink. There were posters on the wall, big fuzzy throw pillows in the shape of hearts and stars, and books piled everywhere. Not just textbooks, but novels and travel books.
“I’ll just be a second,” she said, ducking into her closet. She pulled the door half-closed behind her. “I mean, this is the Dog Days of Summer festival and your first time, so I have to look nice.”
His gaze slid toward the bed. He jerked his attention away, turning so he was staring into the dresser mirror, which was a huge mistake because now he could see into the half-open door and watch Abby change her clothes.
She’d already pulled off her shorts and T-shirt. She stood in front of a rack of dresses. She was wearing a bra and panties and nothing else.
She was perfection, he thought, hunger burning inside of him. Strong and curved in all the right places. She reached for a dress and pulled it over her head, then slipped into flat sandals.
He quickly turned away, studying the bottles and brushes on the dresser itself. She stepped out of the closet and fluffed her hair, then moved next to him.
“Don’t judge the pink,” she said with a smile.
“I love the pink. It’s very you.”
“Traditionally girlie. I can’t help it. I like the other colors, too, just to be fair, but pink has stolen my heart.” She leaned against him. “I’m a terrible person. I convinced Melissa to have pink bridesmaid dresses just to make me happy. I was very selfish.”
He kissed the top of her head. “That’s not true.”
“It is but I like that you won’t believe it.” She took his hand again and pulled him toward the door. “Okay, so this is the festival that celebrates that it’s nearly the end of summer. It’s silly and fun.”
“And there are dogs?”
They went outside and started for the center of town. “Not just dogs. All kinds of animals. You’ll see.”
They joined the huge crowds filling the blocked-off streets. There were dogs—most in costumes—along with every other kind of pet imaginable. Cats and hamsters, cages with mice, lizards and snakes. People led goats and pigs on leashes. In the shade of the large trees