King (Maine Silver Foxes #1)

Chapter 7

M ia

It was the weekend, and Sammy had a day off from work, so they decided to take a drive to Belfast to do some shopping and have lunch by the coast. Usually just the two of them went, but this time Sammy had invited her co-worker, Ben, along. Sammy insisted that they were just friends, but Mia could tell there was something more going on between them that neither were willing to admit to. The side-long glances that were cast when the other wasn’t looking were a dead giveaway.

As they drove along the coastal road, the chemistry between Sammy and Ben was palpable. They talked and laughed easily, but there was an underlying current of attraction that couldn’t be denied. Mia watched them from the backseat, wondering how long they could keep up the pretense of just being friends. It was time Sammy started dating. She’d been a widow for six years.

Sammy parked in front of a cozy pub on Main Street, where shops stretched out along both sides of the road. They decided to explore each store by foot. Mia trailed behind Sammy and Ben, keeping a respectable distance as they chatted and laughed together. They seemed so at ease with each other, and Mia got a kick out of watching them together. Ben seemed very attentive and considerate of Sammy, and Mia liked that about him.

They entered a small boutique, and Sammy and Ben immediately gravitated towards each other, leaving Mia to browse the racks alone. She tried to focus on the clothes in front of her, but her mind kept drifting back to King. She continued thumbing through the selection on the discount rack, not really in the mood to purchase anything, wondering when she would see him again.

“Hey, Cuz.” Mia heard Sammy behind her and spun around. “There’s a few of us meeting up at the American Legion Hall later tonight. Want to go?”

Mia looked at Ben. “You served in the military?” He was a nice-looking man—clean-cut blond hair and blue eyes, with a build that looked hard and lean in the jeans and t-shirt he was wearing.

He nodded, sporting a proud expression. “Twenty years,” he said. “And they have a live band tonight.”

Mia gave an approving nod and saw a broad smile on her cousin’s face. She hoped she wouldn’t be a third wheel, but she didn’t dare ask. “Why not? Sounds like fun.”

“All right let’s get some lunch before we head home so we have the energy to dance,” Mia heard Sammy say.

Mia laughed. “Dance?” She couldn’t remember the last time she’d gone dancing. Unless you counted the times she’d chaperoned her kids’ school dances.

Sammy shrugged, not picking up on the unease in Mia’s tone. Her interest was zeroed in on something hanging on the rack, and her eyes rounded when she checked the tag and saw how much it had been marked down. “Look at this dress!” She held up a blue lace bodice with an attached floral skirt that probably fell about knee-length on the wearer.

Mia smiled with amusement because Sammy had held the dress up for Ben’s scrutiny. “Isn’t this a beautiful color?”

He gave his approval before Mia had a chance to give her input, but she had to agree that it was a beautiful dress. Sammy glanced over Ben’s shoulder as if she’d just remembered that Mia was there as well.

“I love it,” Mia agreed. It would look great on Sammy’s curvy figure and would bring out the color in her blue eyes. “You should get it.”

At her suggestion, Sammy checked the size of the dress, her smile lighting up her face. “It’s a size too big, but I’m going to get it. It might shrink a little in the dryer.”

Ben’s heavy sigh indicated that he was done with shopping. “So where do you ladies want to eat? My treat.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Sammy said shyly.

Mia wanted to kick her. When a man offered to buy you lunch, you let him. She knew that Sammy wasn’t used to that kind of offer from a man. She’d been alone since Adam had passed away and was used to doing things on her own.

Ben was obviously interested in Sammy. Mia could see the way his eyes lingered on her, the way he leaned in slightly when she spoke. A subtle touch here and there. It was so obvious that even Sammy must have noticed it, but she seemed content to treat him as a friend.

It occurred to Mia that that was why Sammy was so comfortable around him.

Mia decided to take matters into her own hands. “Why don’t we try that new Italian place we passed earlier?” Italian wasn’t the most obvious choice when they were on the coast and there were so many seafood restaurants around, but Mia knew how much Sammy loved Italian.

Sammy’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I love Italian food!”

The three of them headed to the register so Sammy could pay for her dress.

“Great, it’s settled then,” Ben said with a grin. “Let’s go.”

As they walked to the restaurant, Mia couldn’t help but notice the way Ben kept glancing over at Sammy. He was definitely taken with her, and she had to admit, they did make a cute couple. They arrived at the restaurant and were seated at a cozy table in the corner. The atmosphere was romantic, with soft lighting and the sound of Italian music in the background.

As they scanned the menu, Ben suggested a bottle of chianti to share. Sammy hesitated for a moment before nodding her consent, a small smile on her face. Mia could tell that she was enjoying herself, even if she wasn’t used to the kind of attention she was getting from Ben.

As the meal wore on, the conversation flowed easily between the three of them. They talked about their lives, sharing enough information that they got to know one another without being overwhelmed. Mia noticed the way Ben’s hand would brush against Sammy’s arm every now and then, and the way she would blush and look away like it was nothing. Mia could just imagine Sammy’s heart fluttering in response to his subtle touches.

Deciding to play matchmaker, Mia excused herself to go to the ladies’ room and made a quick call to the waiter, instructing him to bring out a dessert with a special message on it. She prayed that she hadn’t misread their interest in one another; what she was about to do could end up embarrassing them all if she had. But if her hunch was right, it would give them the push they needed to take the next step.

When she returned to the table, Sammy and Ben were deep in conversation. Mia could tell they were both having a good time. Soon the waiter came over with a plate of tiramisu, which had the words, “Sammy, will you go out with me?” written in chocolate sauce on the top. Mia remained silent and watched them closely.

Sammy gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Ben shot Mia a look and grinned before turning toward Sammy. His reaction calmed Mia’s nerves. Was he shy too? He stared at Sammy expectantly, and for a moment Mia held her breath, hoping that she hadn’t got it all wrong. Then Sammy smiled and nodded. “Yes, Ben, I would love to go out with you.”

Ben beamed and took Sammy’s hand across the table. “Great, how about dinner next Friday? I know a great steakhouse.”

Sammy laughed. “Sounds wonderful.”

Feeling accomplished, Mia smiled to herself and released a breath of relief that her plan had worked. They’d just needed a little push. As they finished their meal, she watched Ben and Sammy’s exchange, noting their nervousness. But she could also tell that they were excited about what the future held.

On the drive home, Mia wondered why Sammy hadn’t talked about Ben before. From what she’d learned over lunch, they hadn’t worked together for very long, and Ben had just moved to the Coldwater area the year before. She thought about asking him more but changed her mind. He and Sammy were lost in conversation, and Mia didn’t want to interrupt them.

So instead, Mia sat back and took in the scenery as her thoughts drifted back to King and how explosive their attraction was. He was a strong, assertive man who made his desires known and acted on them without hesitation, so sure she would reciprocate his feelings. Just thinking of his large hands on her body caused her to quiver as images of them going at it filled her mind. If Sammy hadn’t returned to the house when she had that day that he had shown up, they would have had sex right then and there. She knew it. The mere thought of how turned on he'd made her had made her wet with arousal.

It wasn’t long before they were back home, and Sammy parked beside Ben’s truck and cut the engine. “We’ll see you later at the hall?”

He nodded without hesitation. “Yup. If there’s any trouble getting in, just give me a call and I’ll come out and get you.”

“I’m sure it will be fine,” Sammy smiled. “They’ve let me in before. They know my dad and brother served in the military, so they’re not always so strict with the rules like some other halls are.”

A moment passed between them as a potential kiss might have happened had Mia not been there. Aware of the stretch of silence, she got out of the car and headed to the front entrance.

Precious’ barks grew louder as she approached, so when she opened the door she scooped her up quickly. The last thing she wanted was for her to run off again. She headed for the outside kennel. She’d never liked the idea of chaining dogs up and had paid a premium price to have a kennel installed before she’d moved back to the house. It had a roof and a little doghouse at one end. This allowed Precious to remain outside for a little while if she wanted to.

Mia gave Ben a wave as he started his truck and met Sammy halfway back to the front door. “So, you and Ben, huh?”

Sammy rolled her eyes, but there was a smile on her face when she said, “I knew you couldn’t wait to say something. We’re just friends.”

“Sure.” Mia thought about it for a minute before saying, “I’m sure you’ve convinced yourself of that, but you’re just fooling yourself, Cuz. Ben is a nice man, and it’s obvious that you both are into each other.”

“I do like him,” she admitted softly.

“Then what’s the problem?”

Sammy shrugged as we continued walking. “It’s just...” She hesitated, and they exchanged a look. “Adam and I had something special; ya know? I don’t want to rush into anything.”

“I can understand that. But it doesn’t mean you can’t have something special with Ben, too. You’ve been alone long enough. Adam would want you to move on. Be happy.”

“I know.”

“It’s clear that Ben wants something more with you. The problem is, you’re both too afraid to make that first move.”

Sammy laughed. “I know that, too. Thanks for doing it for us.”

“You’re not mad?”

Sammy shook her head.

“And let me add, don’t compare Ben to Adam. They’re different men.”

“Like King and Jerry?” she smirked.

Mia had no intentions of comparing those two men. It wouldn’t be fair. She decided it was time to change the subject as they entered the house. “How much time do I have before we head to the hall?”

Sammy pondered it for a moment. “Let’s leave at six. That gives us an hour.”

Mia was thankful that Sammy was willing to let the subject of men go. “Sounds like a plan,” she said as she climbed the stairs to her room, grateful that she had her own bathroom.