Sunset Thunder by Shannyn Leah

can of corn and then passed her the full tin.
    What did he want her to do with this? Cook it? Eat it? 
    Violet held the can, and sent him a questioning look.
    His smile was toe melting and when he slid the sunglasses onto the top of his head, his bright blue eyes looked amused. “It’s to bait your hook,” he explained. 
    “Corn?” 
    “Definitely.” He reached to the ground, stretching his body and Violet bit her lower lip.
    Why did he have to go stretch and reach and look so hot?
    He picked up a fishing pole from the floor, running his hand down the invisible fishing line and stopping at the hook. She remembered the way his hands slid up her thighs and−
    Ryder held the hook out to her. 
    Right, fishing. Bait the hook...with corn. Focus on fishing. Fishing, fishing, fishing...
    Violet dipped her fingers into the corn and took out a few kernels. This she could handle, but she was still unsure whether he was pulling her leg or not. She’d never heard of fishing with corn. She wasn’t an avid fisherman.
    When Violet grasped the hook, planning on taking it from Ryder’s hand, he didn’t move. He didn’t jerk away from her touch, like she wanted to from his sizzling skin. He didn’t even flinch.
    Violet’s entire insides, on the other hand, were flinching and jerking like a dead fish. Ryder held the hook in position while she poked a few kernels on. 
    “Does this really work?” she asked.
    Ryder nodded. “My mom was squirmy like you about fishing with worms. She absolutely refused to hurt a worm. Even though she cooked the fish we caught.” Ryder chuckled. “Explain that one. Anyway, my dad’s fishing gear always included a can of corn for her.”
    Violet watched a genuine smile form on Ryder’s lips while he spoke of his parents. His mother, Kathleen, had passed away years ago. The Carlex’s were not locals in Willow Valley. They were among the many summer vacationers. Mrs. Carlex had attended several of the exquisite, over-the-top galas Eliza hosted and that Violet and Emma had planned. The more elaborate the decor, the more enticed the guests were to open their chequebooks and donate for the fun night prepared for them. Like the Fright Fest.
    Violet hadn’t noticed Ryder’s tense shoulders all day, but the more he talked, the thick, hard hills began to relax... he began to relax. This was a new side to Ryder, a softer side with traces of affection, real affection. It was something Violet had never witnessed from him.
    As he continued to talk, Ryder took the hook from Violet, loading it with corn. “My dad didn’t raise the faint of heart. I fish with worms.” He shrugged. “I guess I just like to bring a can of corn on board to remind me of my mom.”
    Violet leaned back against the cushion, enjoying Ryder’s stories and the way he changed as he told them.
    “When I was young, she never missed a fishing trip with just me and my dad. You remember my mom, she was always dressed over the top, her clothes and her make-up.”
    Yes, Mrs. Carlex wore fancy, glittering outfits and more makeup then all Violet’s sisters combined. But her filled-in eyebrows, red lipstick and waves of black pinned up hair gave her a fifties look, like a sophisticated pin-up girl.
    “But when she boarded the boat, all that was stripped away. Those trips were my favorite. When it was just the three of us and my dad didn’t bring his work on board and we just fished and laughed.”
    Ryder was completely lost in his thoughts, and his smile told Violet he was reliving the memories he was sharing in deeper depth.
    “I guess having a can of corn is like she’s here with me,” Ryder added and if Violet hadn’t already contemplated there was more to Ryder than she knew, that comment would have easily altered her mind. Now, it convinced her there was more than he let people see and he’d let her in.
    Ryder looked at Violet abruptly. As he took her in, she watched the happiness erase and darkness shadow his eyes. His face