Pumpkin Spice (Cupid's Coffeeshop Book 10) Read online

  When he stood, she followed suit and extended her hand. He enveloped her hand in his large warm one and shook it, their eyes meeting. Awareness shimmered between them. When his fingers trailed over her palm as he pulled away, her heartbeat kicked up a notch. Probably she was just still excited over the job, she lied to herself.

  “See you at school tomorrow,” Natalie said as he walked away.

  “Counting on it.”

  Chapter Three

  On Friday night, just before midnight, Natalie rocked in her porch swing. After the Panthers’ sixteenth loss in a row, Natalie sat on her porch, unable to sleep as she went over the game, play-by-play in her head. She’d expected a loss, of course. Even Vince Lombardi would have struggled to bring a football team together with only four days to work with them.

  Still, she’d hoped the team might show a difference under her coaching style, or possibly score. They didn’t even have to find the end zone. A field goal would have at least given her hope. She sighed, dropping her forehead into her hands.

  “Want some company?” a masculine voice called. Natalie raised her head to see Jameson, wearing a soft-looking gray sweater standing at the white picket fence. She waved half-heartedly and he strode up the walk to settle into the swing next to her. The sweet scent of pumpkin pie combined with the rich aroma of coffee floated through the evening air. He extended her a paper cup with the crimson Cupid’s Coffeeshop logo, with a commiserating smile.

  “Thanks,” Natalie said, taking the cup from his hand, their fingers brushing. She looked up into his handsome face, his kind eyes. “So, are you hear to lecture me about losing the game as my boss or scold me for benching Kieran?”

  “Neither,” Jameson said. “I came to say good job, coach.”

  “We lost by sixty-seven points,” Natalie groaned.

  “Better than last week,” Jameson pointed out. “We lost by eighty-nine points then.”

  Natalie huffed out a laugh and took a swig of the coffee, expecting bitterness to match her mood. Instead, the sweet taste of pumpkin pie comforted her. She rubbed her forehead again, trying not to think of the disastrous game. “You do know it’d be a miracle if we won,” Jameson said gently.

  “At this point, I’d just like to score,” Natalie groaned, sipping the coffee.

  “Is this where I make some juvenile joke?” Jameson asked.

  “Consider it made.” She chuckled, then blew out a breath. They locked eyes again. Every time she’d seen him this week, the attraction between them increased by degrees. Had it only been four days ago she’d met him at the coffeeshop? If this kept up, she’d go up in flames by next Tuesday.

  Still, he was her boss, and the father of one of her team members. Getting involved would be tricky. Of course, human combustion would be trickier still. Natalie bit her lip and looked away from the temptation of Jameson’s mouth.

  “It’s not all bad news,” Jameson said finally, setting the swing rocking with his foot, looking out at the velvety night sky.

  Natalie had never lived in a place where so many stars peeked through; she found she rather liked it here. She’d thought she’d be homesick but being in Ashford Falls felt like coming home. Everyone knew everyone else and welcomed a newcomer. She leaned back against the cushions as the tension along her spine loosened. Jameson’s strong thigh pressed against hers in the tiny porch swing, warming her. Being around him made her feel comfortable and content; that contentment coupled with the sizzling lust that she felt around him, made for a very dangerous combination.

  “It’s not?” Natalie asked.

  “They are coming together as a team,” Jameson said.

  “How could you tell?”

  “There were a few plays that even resembled football a bit,” Jameson said. Natalie laughed. They swung for a few moments before Jameson continued. “They respect you.”

  “Hardly.” Natalie shook her head.

  “They’re starting to,” Jameson said. “You’re a good coach, Natalie. A good teacher too, I hear.”

  “What’d you hear?” Natalie demanded before she could stop herself.

  “Well, if the gossip I overheard Elle relay to Kieran is correct, you stood up to Sarah Woods in health class.”

  “Afraid so.” Natalie didn’t elaborate. She’d pinned Sarah as the queen bee within seconds of her sauntering in—ten minutes late—to class. Natalie wasn’t too proud to admit she savored the memory of the girl’s shocked face when Natalie gave her detention.

  “And you benched the principal’s kid for swearing.”

  “That’s true.” Natalie nodded but again spared Jameson the details. “It was fairly mild hazing, I think.”

  “Teens love to test boundaries,” Jameson nodded in agreement.

  “Kieran’s talented but…” Natalie bit her lip, not wanting to criticize his son.

  “He’s undisciplined, I know,” Jameson sighed and shook his head. “He gets along with his grandfather far better than with me.”

  “That’s not uncommon,” Natalie said. She’d heard that Jameson lived with his father and his son, just two streets over from her. “Three generations in the same house. That must be fun.”

  “It can be.” Jameson sipped his coffee. “After Kieran’s mom left, it just seemed to make sense. Dad’s the Fire Chief but he’s got a more flexible schedule than me. When Kieran was in elementary school, he ferried Kieran around to all the extracurricular stuff I couldn’t attend because of work.”

  “Sounds like a good solution.”

  “It was. But now he’s in high school and with me the principal, Kieran views me as the enemy.” Jameson rubbed his own forehead.

  Natalie patted his shoulder in comfort. “Most teens view their parents as the enemy. I’m told it gets better around 25.”

  Jameson chuckled. “Kieran wants to join the squad as a junior firefighter but I insisted he play.”

  “How come?” Natalie watched him, moonlight gilding his face in silver and shadow. “Kieran is a talented player but he’s not that talented. And no one from Ashford Falls is going to college on a football scholarship. Why make him play, if he doesn’t want to?”

  Jameson shrugged. “I thought it was safer.”

  “Football was safer?”

  “Than junior firefighting.” Jameson pulled up the sleeve of his button down shirt to reveal a patchwork of shiny scars on his forearm. She trailed her fingers over the tight skin there and raised her gaze to his face, just inches from her own. A heartbeat ticked past and then another as they tilted toward each other, drawn as if by magic. The warmth of his breath washed over her cheek as he leaned closer, his full mouth so close to capturing hers. Natalie’s eyelids fell shut, waiting for the press of his lips.

  Before they could close the distance, Jameson pulled away and stood, his fingers tapping a staccato beat on his empty paper coffee cup. “Better get home. My dad’s at the station so Kieran’s probably throwing a party.”

  “Probably,” Natalie said, her entire body still tingling with desire. She’d really wanted that kiss, far more than was good for her. “Thanks for the coffee, Jameson—I mean, Principal Kincade.”

  He stared at her for a second, all the potential in their kiss shimmering between them, reflected by the heat in his eyes. At least Natalie knew she wasn’t the only one burning with lust. “Jameson’s fine when we’re out of school.”

  With a wave, he strode down the flagstone path and quickly out of sight. Natalie swayed in the swing, the night air cool on her flushed face. And, if for just a few moments she allowed herself to dream about Jameson’s kiss, it was better than dwelling on that dreadful game. And, despite the tiny town, her lust for the principal could be her little secret.

  Chapter Four

  At dinnertime on Wednesday, Jameson leaned against the vending machine in the county ER, doing deep breathing exercises in a futile attempt to calm himself down. He’d been in his office, reviewing the slim margins on his school budget, when he’d gotten the call that Ki
eran had been injured at football practice. Jameson raced to the hospital to meet his dad and son. His hands still shook from the adrenaline rush of breaking every speeding limit in his rush to get to his boy.

  When his heart rate slowed to somewhere less than jackrabbit, Jameson grabbed his vending machine purchases and strolled back to his son’s hospital bed in the ER. He handed his father a soda and a bag of chips before settling into the single visitors’ chair and opening his own dinner of peanut butter crackers.

  “Where’s mine?” Kieran demanded petulantly.

  “After we talk to the doctor, we’ll know if you need surgery. If not, you can eat then,” Jameson’s father, Chris, answered in his most soothing tone. Years of being Fire Chief had taught him how to act in a crisis and to calm skittish patients. Jameson fisted his still shaking hands, the cracker tasting dry as dust in his parched mouth. He sipped some bottled water as he fought his panic at the mere thought of Kieran requiring surgery.

  “I’m fine.” Kieran rolled his eyes and grabbed his phone, awkwardly texting one-handed as his right wrist remained wrapped after his injury.

  No doubt Kieran was griping to his buddies. While he was distracted, Jameson watched him, grateful his son was okay. When he’d gotten the news that Kieran had been hurt, Jameson thought his heart would stop. He rubbed his eyes, embarrassed at the tears of relief pooling there. His son would be fine. He glanced up to see his own father watching him closely. Jameson remembered all the times he’d ended up in this very ER as a teenager. He had the sudden urge to hug his dad but since that would have mortified them both, he just nodded at his father, who did the same in acknowledgement.

  “So how’d this happen?” Jameson asked.

  “Coach Nat—”

  “You mean Coach Lawson,” Jameson cut over him.

  “I mean Coach Nat. That’s what she told us to call her.” Kieran rolled his eyes again. “We were trying to do this new play. I went right when I should have gone left. I ran smack into Bobby Harbor. We went down and he landed on my wrist. End of story.”

  “Ouch. Bobby’s a big kid,” Jameson commented.

  “I wanted to finish practice but instead Coach Nat insisted I come here.” Kieran’s eyes rolled again as he relayed what he clearly viewed as an overreaction. “How long is this going to take?”

  “You’re not an urgent case, kiddo,” Chris put in. “They’ll fit you in when they can.”

  “I was supposed to meet Tina at the coffeeshop…” Kieran whined.

  “Tina? What happened to Elle?” Jameson demanded. “For that matter, what happened to Sarah?”

  “I’m a heartbreaker, I guess,” Kieran shrugged before wincing at the motion.

  “Might be more of a bone breaker,” Chris quipped, just as the privacy curtain rustled. After struggling a bit with the fabric, Natalie stepped into the small space, her auburn hair coppery under the glaring lights of the ER.

  “Coach Nat?”

  “Just came by to check on you.” Natalie, her cheeks pink, stepped up to the side of Kieran’s bed. She carefully didn’t look at Jameson. “How’s the wrist?”

  “Fine.” Kieran gave her a sunny grin before returning his attention to his phone.

  “We’re waiting for the results of his x-rays.” Jameson stood next to Natalie at the edge of the bed.

  He hadn’t been close to her since last Friday night in her porch swing. Not that he’d been avoiding her. Certainly not. He’d just been terribly busy with running the school.

  Or that’s what he told himself.

  Now, Natalie smelled of autumn wind and sweet spice. She tucked a strand of auburn hair behind her ear, chewing on her lower lip. She really was lovely and all too tempting.

  Deliberately, Jameson looked away from Natalie and caught his father’s eye. His father raised a single brow while Jameson rolled his eyes; too late, he realized he was mimicking his teenage son. His father grinned but at least tried to hide it behind his hand.

  “Can I do anything? Would you like me to go get dinner for you guys or something?” Natalie offered, waving her hand as she spoke. Her hand accidentally connected with Jameson’s chest. Just that brief touch made awareness spiral through him. He really liked this woman.

  But she was his employee and his son’s football coach; getting involved would be a bad idea. It just didn’t stop Jameson from wanting to get involved with her, though.

  “I just had some peanut butter crackers so I’m all set.” Jameson answered.

  “We’re fine. Thank you,” his father put in. “I’m Chris Kincade, by the way. Jameson’s father and Kieran’s grandfather.”

  Natalie and Jameson’s dad shook hands at the foot of Kieran’s bed. “You’re the Fire Chief too, right?”

  “That’s right. Welcome to Ashford Falls,” Chris said. “How are you settling in? Jameson said you were from Virginia Beach originally but you moved here at the perfect time of year. Autumn is so pretty in the mountains.”

  “I haven’t gotten to explore much.”

  “Jameson should take you for a drive.”

  Jameson sighed at his father’s transparent attempt at matchmaking.

  “I’d love that,” Natalie said, not looking at Jameson.

  A nurse stuck his head around the curtain. “Good news, Kieran. No break. The doctor will be in to see you in a bit.”

  Jameson closed his eyes and blew out a relieved breath.

  “Can I go now?”

  “Nope,” Chris said. “Not until we’ve seen the doctor.”

  Kieran huffed and shifted in the bed. Natalie and Jameson exchanged exasperated glances. Teenagers. “Well, I really just came to check on you, Kieran, so I’d better go,” Natalie said.

  “I’m totally fine, Coach Nat. I can’t wait to try that move again tomorrow.”

  “We’ll have to see what the doctor says about that,” Natalie said with a grin.

  “I’m fine,” Kieran insisted.

  “Let’s see what the doctor says, since you haven’t finished medical school yet and all,” Jameson said, earning another black look from his son.

  “I’ll wait with Mr. Attitude while you walk the coach to her car,” Chris put in, waving them out.

  “I parked in the lot, under a streetlamp and all. I’ll be fine.” Natalie waved as she slipped out from the curtain.

  “I raised you to be a gentleman. Go on now,” Chris ordered Jameson as he stole the only visitor’s chair. Sotto voce, he continued. “Go see if you can’t steal a kiss from that pretty girl while you’re at it.”

  “Dad!” Jameson felt the flush creeping up his neck but dashed out after Natalie. He caught up with her in the lobby. “Natalie! Wait. Let me walk you.” She slowed and he caught up with her.

  “It’s not necessary,” she said.

  “You don’t want my dad to yell at me, do you?” Jameson crooked a smile at her. She shrugged and they strode out into the crisp fall air. Now, just after sunset, the warm day transformed into a chilly evening. As they walked, dried leaves skittered around and crunched under their feet.

  “I should have brought a jacket.” Natalie shivered; Jameson kicked himself for leaving his jacket inside. He could have wrapped Natalie in it. Instead, he stuck his hands in his pockets and strolled with her across the parking lot.

  “Fall has definitely arrived,” Jameson agreed. “Dad’s right. The leaves are pretty. If you do want to go for a drive sometime…”

  “This is me,” she said. They stopped next to a sensible four-door sedan. She turned and looked into his face. “Do you really think a drive is a good idea?”

  Jameson met her eyes, feeling that familiar rush of heat rock through him. This close, her warm brown eyes were the color of tea steeped in sunshine. “I think we’d be okay if the car was in motion.”

  “And if we stopped?” Natalie whispered.

  She swayed toward him and he met her halfway, capturing her mouth with his. Here was heat and warmth and light, and Jameson was drawn to her. Natalie was
proving impossible to resist. She tasted of cinnamon, intoxicating and sweet. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her soft curves against him, one hand trailing down her back as her fingers twined in his hair. She teased his lower lip with her tongue, dipping in to taste him. His head spun from just the simple taste of her.

  While he still could, Jameson lifted his head and broke the kiss, his breathing ragged. Slowly, he unwound his hands from her and stepped back.

  “We shouldn’t be doing this,” Jameson said, his voice shakier than he would have liked. “Thanks for stopping by to check on Kieran.”

  Natalie nodded once and slid into her car. He watched until her crimson taillights were out of sight before he strode back into the hospital to sit with his son and his far-too-observant father.

  Chapter Five

  On Friday night, after another crushing loss, Natalie took refuge on her porch swing. She sipped a warm cup of pumpkin spice tea, liberally laced with milk and sugar. She rested her head against the seat back and pushed off, watching the stars. She’d been coach for just under two weeks; she didn’t expect miracles but some sign of change would be helpful. Maybe even wanting that much was unrealistic. She only had a few more chances to prove her potential as a coach or this entire uprooting of her life would be for naught.

  “Want some company?” Jameson called softly.

  Natalie raised her head to find Jameson standing at the edge of her white picket fence. He grinned at her. Her heart sped up and tingles of awareness shot through her. He took her silence for assent and strolled up the walk. She watched him, his dark sweatshirt taut across his strong shoulders. Well, maybe being in Ashford Falls wasn’t a total waste of time. In the two days since their incandescent kiss, she’d thought of him often. In the halls at school, she would catch little glimpses of him and every time, her heart leapt, as eager to see her crush as any school girl. She couldn’t deny her inconvenient attraction any longer.