he wanted to close his eyes and sway to the music, enjoying every moment of having her in his arms.
Who would have guessed that the somewhat abrasive, nose-in-book Olivia would have such an effect on him, all these years later?
She hummed to the song, seeming much more relaxed than the anxious, nervous woman he had encountered outside the bar.
He was glad. While he wanted to take credit, he knew that would be typical male arrogance. He sensed it had more to do with being in comfortable, familiar surroundings along with friends and neighbors in an easygoing celebration.
What had made her so jumpy? He thought of her fear the other day at the hospital cafeteria, how she had looked around the place like she expected an imminent attack. He didn’t like thinking about it, or the protectiveness that made him want to tuck her close and keep her safe all night.
“So what happened to you?”
She stiffened slightly, but she quickly recovered, arching an eyebrow and meeting his gaze. “That’s a blunt question. And also rather vague. Would you like to be more specific?”
“I’m a blunt guy. And you know what I mean. The other day at the hospital cafeteria and then tonight, outside the bar. You seemed a little...nervous.”
He didn’t think she would appreciate it if he told her she had seemed jumpier than a bag full of frogs.
Her mouth tightened. “Maybe I’m just not a fan of crowded bars. Or crowded cafeterias, either.”
She obviously didn’t want to tell him. Why should she? They didn’t have that kind of relationship, really. He was just a guy who had once been friends with her sister.
“I’m not crazy about this bar, anyway. I was shocked when Melody said this was where she wanted to celebrate her birthday.”
“The band is good,” she pointed out. “And I can’t blame her for wanting to enjoy a little nightlife. She hardly ever gets the chance to go out.”
“Agreed. But The Sea Shanty? Really? I just wish Cape Sanctuary had a little wider selection of nightlife.”
They danced for a moment in silence, the music weaving a spell around them that Cooper found as seductive as it was troublesome.
“Why did you come back?” she asked after a moment. “I always thought you hated it here and couldn’t wait to leave Cape Sanctuary.”
Surprise made him stumble but quickly catch the beat of the music again.
He hadn’t hated it here. Not really. The town had a gorgeous setting beside the sea and plenty of kind people. Still, Cooper had never been able to see a future for himself here. He had too many difficult memories of his childhood, being the son of the town screwup. He was tired of being an object of pity and scorn, of hearing the whispers. After his mother died and their aunt and uncle offered to take Melody in for her remaining high school years, he had jumped at the chance to sign up for the Air Force and let the military give him a second chance.
“I never hated it,” he protested. “I left for the military.”
“And didn’t look back.”
“I’m here now.”
“Because of Melody.”
How had she guessed that? He shifted, uncomfortable with her scrutiny. “Yeah. Because of Melody. She doesn’t have any other family here now that Aunt Helen is in San Diego, and her boys take a lot of energy. They’re too much for her to handle on her own.”
“So once more, Cooper steps in to save the day.”
“That’s what families do. Aren’t you back in town only because your mom needs your help?”
“Point taken.” She smiled, her features soft and lovely, and he wanted to brush a thumb over that tiny dimple in her cheek. More than that, he had a sudden fierce urge to press his mouth to the corner of her smile.
“Mel starts next week at the garden center. She probably told you.”
He glanced over at his sister, sitting among her friends and trying to hide her pain and loss with forced animation. “Yeah. She’s excited about it. The job will be terrific for her. She needs to get out and she has always loved gardening. You won’t be sorry you hired her.”
“It was a brilliant idea. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it myself. I owe you one.”
He hadn’t really done anything, but that didn’t stop him from coming up with a dozen ways he would like to have her repay him. He could share none of them with her, of course.
The song segued to another slow song. He really