All we have, p.1
All We Have, page 1
All We Have
Haven’s Bay Holiday Series
J.H. Croix
Contents
1. Jane
2. Ian
3. Jane
4. Ian
5. Jane
6. Ian
7. Jane
8. Ian
9. Ian
10. Jane
11. Ian
12. Jane
13. Ian
14. Jane
15. Ian
16. Ian
17. Jane
18. Ian
19. Jane
20. Ian
21. Jane
22. Ian
23. Jane
24. Jane
25. Ian
26. Jane
27. Ian
28. Jane
29. Ian
Epilogue
Find My Books
Acknowledgments
About the Author
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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Copyright © 2022 J.H. Croix
All rights reserved.
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Cover design by Cormar Covers
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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“My heart is and always will be yours.” ~Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
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Reader’s Note: a short version of this story (16,000-ish words) was released as part of a time-limited free anthology, All I Want Is You, in Nov 2021. That anthology was only available for a limited time through Bookfunnel and was not available on any retailer. This expanded version is over 44,000 words.
Chapter One
Jane
My headlights glowed through the blowing snow, offering a short path of light to guide me and nothing more. I had to keep reminding myself that was all I needed.
I wasn't even sure where the edge of the road was anymore. The weather was definitely not cooperating with my plans for a relaxing vacation in my hometown of Haven’s Bay, Maine. I just had to get to the end of this driveway. Of course, I also needed this to be the correct driveway. Small favors and all that.
I loosened one hand on the steering wheel, stretching my fingers before curling them back around and repeating the motion with my other hand. It had been snowing steadily for the last hour and a half of my drive here from Boston.
“Yes,” I whispered to myself when I looked ahead and saw what I thought was the right house situated at the end of the driveway. I couldn't see beyond its hulking shadow through the snow, and I couldn't see the ocean that I knew lay just beyond it. Hell, I couldn’t see much of anything.
I carefully steered my car around the circle at the end of the driveway, slowing where my lights angled toward the entrance. I came to a quiet stop, the snow cushioning the sound of my tires. Putting my car in park, I took several deep breaths. Normally, I would turn my car off. But right now, the only light available came from my headlights. I zipped my down jacket and stuffed my knit hat on top of my head before fishing the house key out of my purse.
Curling my hand around the single key, I left my car lights on and climbed out, my boots promptly sinking into the fluffy snow on the drive. I navigated the front steps carefully. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding when the key slid into the lock on the massive front door smoothly.
The sound of the doorway opening echoed in the hallway. I tapped my boots on the threshold, knocking the snow loose as I stepped inside. I shivered as I glanced around, trying to get my bearings. Reaching to the side, I felt for a light switch. When I didn't find it on one side, I moved to the other, relieved when my hand found the familiar shape. My relief expanded when the lights actually came on. I closed the door behind me, my gaze arcing around the entryway.
“Wow,” I breathed.
I took a quick walk down memory lane, elicited by nothing more than stepping inside this old house. The entryway was two stories high with a staircase curving along the wall that led to the upper floor. Back in high school, I spent afternoons here with my friends, Thea, Audrey, and Sasha. The space felt echoey now. Thea had warned me that most of the furniture had been sold off at one point and that she and her brothers were gradually refurnishing the place.
After spinning in a slow circle, I began walking down the hallway after flicking on another light. My footsteps echoed on the hardwood floors. I discovered a comfy-looking sofa in the living room. I smiled when I saw chopped wood neatly stacked in a decorative rack beside the fireplace. That would warm me up.
Sliding my phone out of my pocket, I pulled up the text exchange I'd recently had with Thea.
Me: I made it. The key worked, and the lights are on. Thank you so much.
I hit send and slipped my phone back into my pocket. I did a quick loop around the downstairs, making sure to turn the thermostats up. I peered out the back window into the yard that stretched to the ocean. For now, all I could see was blowing snow.
I hurried back out to my car to fetch my purse and bag and turn the car off. After I got back inside, I realized a small flaw in my plan. I didn't have any food with me, and I was starving. After I searched out the bedroom situation upstairs, I took the room closest to the bathroom. Leaving my bag there, I made my way back into the kitchen to see if maybe there was some food in the cabinets.
Thea had told me she and her brothers came up several times a year, so I thought something might be here. I smiled when I found some dry goods in the otherwise lightly stocked pantry. I could always make some chicken soup straight from the can. My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I slipped it out to see a reply from Thea.
Thea: Awesome. Glad you made it. Hope you get that peace and quiet you're looking for. Good luck dealing with your parents’ house. Text or call if you need anything.
I sent a thumbs-up and a heart back.
Me: Thanks again.
Setting my phone on the counter, I stilled when I heard the front door opening, the sound echoing down the hallway. What the hell?
A subtle frisson of fear chased up my spine. I didn’t want this to turn into a horror movie where the single woman on vacation faces a litany of creepy things.
“Hello?” a man's voice called.
My heart was pounding unsteadily, but I had no choice but to investigate. I turned and walked toward the hallway. Just as I reached the archway that led into the kitchen, the man in question appeared.
My pulse stuttered and then lunged as I stared up at Ian Tate. Ian was one of Thea’s brothers. He’d been a few years ahead of us in high school. My eyes chased over him. Time had been generous to Ian, considering that nature had already been ridiculously generous. His black hair was mussed and damp from the snow. His piercing green eyes stared at me, his gaze calculating. He seemed taller than I recalled, but I hadn't seen him in at least ten years. His broad shoulders filled out his winter jacket. It was unzipped, and I couldn't help but notice that his navy-blue T-shirt outlined his muscled chest. He was wearing faded black jeans and gave off an intimidating air.
He looked annoyed. “Who the hell are you?” he asked.
Of course, Ian wouldn’t remember me. Even though I'd been one of his sister’s friends growing up, I doubted he paid much attention to me. God, he'd been so annoying in high school—handsome and popular with girls flocking to him.
Meanwhile, I'd been the nerdy, quiet girl, a little too shy to shine socially in the cutthroat world of high school. I’d had a tight circle of friends but didn’t venture beyond that. If he'd ever noticed me beyond occasionally seeing me here when I was with Thea, I doubted it would register in his memory. He’d been too popular for a girl like me.
I was different now, though. I wasn't shy, and I didn't care to impress guys like him anymore. I rested a hand on my hip and arched a brow. “You don't remember me, Ian?”
I willed my pulse to pump the brakes and slow the hell down because my hormones did not need to be getting all excited over Ian Tate.
Chapter Two
Ian
The woman standing in front of me gave me an imperious look with her hand resting on her hip and her chin lifted. She arched one brow, her lips twisting to the side. I definitely didn't remember her at a glance. Although, a memory pinged. I tried to grasp it, but I couldn't quite place her.
“Maybe I do,” I said smoothly, not willing to admit she might be right.
“What's my name then?” she prompted, her gaze cool as her eyes swept up and down.
Although she was giving off a good impression of not being rattled, I didn't miss the flush high on her cheekbones and the rapid beat of her pulse, visible at the base of her throat. Her honey-blond hair was twisted into a knot on
I was tired, too fucking tired, to try to play it cool. I shrugged. “I'm sorry I don't know your name. You, apparently, know mine, so I'm assuming you also know this home belongs to my family.”
She blinked at me behind those glasses, her hand dropping from her hip. “Yes, I know this is your family's home. Thea told me I could stay here for three weeks. She gave me a key. Since you don't seem to remember, I'm Jane, Jane Matthews. Thea and I were friends growing up.”
The minute she said her name, the memory clicked into place. Jane was Thea’s pretty friend who almost always had her nose buried in a book. She wasn't a huge fan of eye contact back then. She didn't seem to have a problem with it now as she steadily held my gaze.
“Did she now?” I returned. “Well, she forgot to mention that to me. I'll be here through January.”
Jane blinked again, her nose wrinkling as she considered my reply. “Well, it looks like I'll have to find somewhere else to stay then. Thea obviously didn't know you would be here.”
I shook my head. “No, she didn't. Shocking as it may sound, I don't keep my little sister apprised of everything I do.”
She rolled her eyes as she turned, crossing the kitchen to close the pantry. “I was just about to make some chicken soup because I'm starving. I'll have to call around and see where else I can stay.”
I was replying before I thought better of it. “It's terrible out. You can't do that. Plus, this is Haven’s Bay in the middle of winter. It's not like there are tons of places to stay. Most places are closed.”
Jane spun around to face me. “Tell me something I don't know,” she snapped.
“Look, you're Thea’s friend, and this is a big house. We'll figure it out. I'm not gonna let you drive out in that snow. Trust me, it's only getting worse.”
“Really?” she asked as she crossed over to the windows to peer out into the snowy darkness.
She turned on the light outside on the corner of the house, her eyes widening. The light illuminated nothing but blowing snow. It was wet, thick, and heavy now. I called this kind of snow “snot” snow. It made the roads slick, and tires tended to smear over the surface of it. I’d driven on winter roads for most of my life. Short of black ice, this was the worst kind of snow for driving. Add in the poor visibility and questionable traction along with the wind and it created dangerous conditions. There was no way I would let Jane go out in this weather at this hour.
She turned back toward me, pursing her lips as she contemplated. “It's probably not a good idea for me to go out.”
“It's definitely not a good idea for you to go out. I'm starving too,” I added. “I'll get my bags. Which bedroom did you take?”
She glanced back at me. “The one toward the front. Is that okay?”
“Of course, it's okay. There are five bedrooms up there.”
“Are you sure?”
“I'm sure, Jane.”
I didn't wait for her reply and walked back down the hallway, my footsteps echoing through the downstairs. A few minutes later, I dropped my bags in the master bedroom, changed into something more comfortable, and made my way back downstairs. When I walked into the kitchen, Jane had a drawer open and was perusing the pots and pans.
“Is chicken soup all we have?” I asked as I crossed over to peer into the pantry myself.
“That’s the only quick option.”
“I'm going to check the freezer in the basement. Maybe we have something there.”
“Is that okay?” she asked.
I paused in the doorway. “I don't see why not.”
Jane’s cheeks went pink, sending a sizzle down my spine as I looked at her. Wow, that was interesting. “I'll be right back.”
Ignoring my body’s reaction to her, I jogged down into the basement, flicking on the lights and crossing over to the new chest freezer I’d purchased last summer when I was here with my two brothers and my sister. I was pleased to find a few options, including a pan of pre-made lasagna. Maybe it wasn't homemade, but I was fucking starving, and it was freezing outside—perfect weather for lasagna. There was even a loaf of frozen French bread and some butter.
I jogged back upstairs with the items in hand, calling, “We've got frozen lasagna and bread. Let’s have an actual meal.”
Jane's eyes widened as she looked over. “Are you serious?”
“Sure am. Crank that oven on.”
Jane crossed over and turned on the oven. In short order, we had wrapped the frozen bread in foil, and Jane put it in the oven, explaining it would thaw while the oven heated. I discovered her to be efficient and found we worked easily together. After the lasagna was in the oven, Jane melted butter and seasoned it with parsley and a dash of garlic powder to pour on the bread.
I peered into the cabinet where we kept the wine, smiling when I discovered several bottles of good red wine waiting for us. “Would you like some wine?”
“There's wine too?” she asked, a hint of surprise in her tone.
“Absolutely,” I said as I chose a bottle. “Will this work for you?” I held up a bottle of Merlot from a local winery.
Her eyes widened as a slow smile stretched across her face, sending electricity through me in a fiery shimmer. Jesus. I knew I'd been overworked and overstressed, and honestly, so busy that I hadn't even had a casual date in over six months. But still, this reaction was out of place for me.
“Aren't you glad I showed up? You would have made chicken soup and probably not touched anything else here,” I teased as I fetched two wine glasses out of the cabinet.
She shrugged as she sat down at the table. “I was planning to go to the store tomorrow, but I also wasn't anticipating all the snow tonight.”
I filled our glasses, watching while she took a swallow. She was beautiful. She had tip-tilted eyes behind her glasses and graceful, sleek cheekbones. Her mouth was a little lopsided, and her lips pink and full. She seemed taller than I recalled, now that I remembered her. She and Thea had been a few years behind me in high school, so it made sense she’d be taller now.
After I took my own sip of wine, I asked, “So, how far was your drive?”
“I drove up from Boston, so three and a half hours, or thereabouts. Where did you come from?”
“Washington, DC.”
“You drove all the way up today?” Her eyes widened as she rested an elbow on the table and leaned forward.
I shrugged. “I did. Tell me what you do now.”
Jane took a sip of wine before replying, “I'm a science professor.”
“Oh, what kind of science?”
“Biology and environmental sciences. Even though I drove up from Boston, I just moved there. When I called Thea and told her I had a whole month before I started my new position, she suggested I stay here. I'm getting my parents’ house ready to sell. They haven't been there in years, and everything's turned off, so when Thea offered to let me stay here, I took her up on it. What do you do? You're in finance, right?”
“Yup. Investments. In a way, I followed in my father's footsteps, but I'm not all about the fraud.”
Jane cast a quick glance at me. “I heard about everything that went down with your dad. I'm really sorry about that.”
I took a gulp of wine, shrugging. “It is what it is.”
While I wasn't all about the fraud, I'd unintentionally stumbled into it, which was the reason for my vacation or, rather, my need to get away. But I really didn’t want to think about that right now, and I certainly wasn't going to get into it with Jane.
