Instant Gratification (Wilder #2)(59)

“Really? God, I love a woman with talent in the kitchen.”

Serena smiled. “Honey, I’ve got talents in every room of the house, trust me.”

He laughed again, clearly enjoying the unmistakable hum of attraction between them. “Not fair,” he said. “I hiked all day and I’m starving. Tell me what you have in your front case,” he directed, “and I’ll pretend it’s right here in front of me.”

“Oh, you should see today’s pies.” Serena’s eyes were closed and she smiled dreamily. “I love pies. They’re my specialty.” Her lips curved. “Amongst other things, of course.”

“Of course. But what’s your favorite?”

“Pumpkin. My pumpkin pie is completely and totally out of this world.”

“I bet. A quick prick now,” he murmured. “That’s it, that’s all there is. Keep breathing. So do you use whipped cream on that…?”



Much later that night, Emma lay in bed staring at the ceiling trying to figure things out. Why she suddenly felt so restless. So out of place in her own skin.

So…alone.

She didn’t have to be. Stone had made that clear. What she hadn’t told him was exactly how tempted she was to go to his cabin and take him up on his offer.

He could alleviate all her restlessness, and leave her humming with pleasure while he was at it. But…

But.

Something about his challenge to connect with him scared her, because she knew that she could connect with him, big time.

And then she’d leave.

It was in the cards, the plan all laid out—as soon as her dad was better, she was gone.

Even she couldn’t repair a broken heart.





Chapter 20




Emma dreamed about Stone and woke up wishing he was in bed with her. What was up with that? She got up and showered, and thought about how it’d feel to have him soaping her up.

Okay, this Stone obsession she had? It had to stop. In fact, she wasn’t going to think about him again.

For at least five minutes.

Helping with that, Spencer made an extravagant breakfast, waiting until she took her first bite and moaned in amazed culinary pleasure before he leaned in. “Em.”

“Ohmigod.” The perfect way to put Stone out of her head—with food. “This is fantastic.”

“Of course it is. Listen, you know I’m leaving in two days. I have a little favor.”

“Anything,” she murmured, shoveling in more food. “Name it.”

“I want to ask Serena out.”

She slid her gaze to his. “Serena, bitchy Serena?”

“She’s not all bitch.”

“Don’t fool yourself. She’s purebred bitch.”

“I can handle myself. Now take me out of my misery. Yes or no?”

She set down her fork. “You’re serious.”

“Yes.”

“You won’t let her skin you and eat you alive?”

“Not on the first date,” he promised.

Emma picked her fork back up. The food was too good to let it go cold just because he wanted to get his heart kicked. “Will you still cook for me?”

He grinned. “Always.”



Later that morning, Missy Thorton came by the clinic carrying a casserole dish and Emma sighed. “What’s wrong today, Missy?”

“Nothing. Just wanted to bring you this.”

Emma peeked inside the casserole dish and went still.

“It’s tom yum goong. Hot and sour soup with shrimp.”

“Homemade Thai food?” she asked in disbelief.

“Stone mentioned you were lonely for it. My nephew’s niece spent a summer in Thailand. She has the most amazing recipes.” She tapped the dish. “I’ll need this back of course.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Emma was still staring down at the dish in stunned amazement when Harley stopped by for a tetanus shot because she’d sliced her finger on a rusty nail. In return, she fixed all the squeaky doors and gave the truck a tune-up.

Emma had three other patients that morning, and not one person asked for a real doctor, or suggested she confer with her dad. As a bonus, each paid with a check or cash.

This damn town. It’d sneaked up and snatched her damn heart when she hadn’t been looking. Not good. Not good at all.

She needed out.

At lunch, she drove to see her dad. She wanted his damn medical records and an ETA for his return to work, and the subsequent return to her life—a life that did not include nice but busy-body patients who knew all her business, a life that didn’t include one certain tall, sexy Wilder brother who was starting to haunt her every waking—and sleeping—moment.

She found her father in front of his cabin, tending to a fire pit and cleaning the trout he’d just caught in the lake. He still wore his vest and hat, and the distinct smell of fish.

“Perfect timing,” he said with a smile. “I’m going to barbeque these up for lunch right now. State your preference; medium or well-done?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t really have time for lunch. I was hoping to see those medical records of yours, and get an ETA for your return.”