Page 38 of Small Town Schemes & Summer Kisses
“Yes,” he said with a nod. “They live in Pennsylvania. I had some matters to discuss with them. That’s why it took me longer to get back. I got caught in the snarl of traffic leaving Philly and then hit the storm.”
Her brow furrowed with concern. “I was worried when you didn’t call me.”
“I needed to sort through some things,” he admitted, his gaze earnest.
“Did you sort them out?”
With a tender smile, he reached up to tuck a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. “Yeah, I did. Do you think eight weeks is too soon to fall in love with someone?”
“What did you say?” Caroline leaned back; her eyes were wide as she perched on the edge of his leg.
“I know we’ve only known each other for just a few weeks, but I’ve met no one quite like you. You snuck up on me, but I’m glad you did,” he confessed, sincerity in every word.
Caroline placed a hand over her heart, feeling the flutter beneath her palm. “And you went to talk this over with your folks?”
“Yeah,” he confessed, tracing the soft curve of her cheek with the back of his hand. “I convinced them to come down for Memorial Day.”
“Wow,” she breathed, her voice barely more than a whisper, threaded with awe and surprise.
“If I haven’t made it clear, Hollis, let me spell it out for you now. Caroline Hollis, I love you.”
“I wasn’t sure if you did, after I blurted it out,” she admitted, her heart racing.
“It took me by surprise, but I love you,” he affirmed, sealing his words with a look of pure devotion. “As for the other. You are an excellent mayor because you care about this town. I know that as much as they like to instigate things, there is no one on the council who will let you fail.”
“Not even for a free space?”
“Not even for a free space.”
Just then, the lights flickered, and the buzzing overhead made them both jump.
“Did the rain end?” she asked, pulling her hand back and running her fingers through her hair. “Do you think we can get out?”
Beck looked at his phone and then shoved it back in his pocket. “Mine’s dead. Do you have your charger?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Since the power is back, give your phone enough juice to make a phone call. I’ll work on the door.”
Caroline hesitated, and he thought he saw tears fill the corners of her eyes. “I’m sure Gigi has called everyone by now,” she said with a forced laugh.
“Is that how you want to play it?”
With a deep breath, she gave him a soft smile. “Time to charge the phone, I guess.”
“Chicken,” Beck teased, and kissed her lightly enough to make her heart trip over itself.
They both stood. Beck attempted to open the door with renewed determination and was about to give up when a new sound joined the chorus of pounding fists.
“Caroline? Beck?” Their names came over a loudspeaker.
Beck squinted and looked out the window. Blue and red lights flashed near his truck.
“Stone?” Beck called.
Sheriff Grayson Stone appeared outside the door. “Back up, Beck.”
“The door is swollen.”
