Authors: Natalie Ann
Sean looked over at the vibrating phone on his desk to see his mother’s face grinning back at him. Snatching it up quickly, he answered, “Hi, Mom.” She called him at least three times a week, if not more. Since it was Friday and he’d only heard from her twice this week, he was expecting the call.
“Hi, baby. How are you doing?”
He cringed over the “baby” endearment, but he knew she’d never stop calling him that no matter how many times he asked. “I’m doing well. Just catching up on some work.”
“You aren’t working too hard, are you?”
“Never, Mom, you know that,” he joked, just like he always did when she made the comment about him working too hard.
“I don’t believe you now any more than I did the other times you said that. You’re eating enough, right?”
Again, same questions and comments. Why his mother thought he didn’t eat was beyond him. “Of course I am.”
“Still too skinny for me. I made a big pot of potato and ham soup today, so I’ll send you some. It will put meat on your bones.”
Just what he needed, more food. Someone was always sending him food, no matter how many times he said he didn’t need it or reminded them he knew how to cook—that his mother even taught him. “Your soup sounds good, Mom, but please don’t go out of your way.” No use telling her not to send it, she’d just argue and send it anyway.
“It’s not a problem. I’ll make a quick batch of double chocolate cookies and send them along too.”
He groaned inwardly. “Anna sent me cookies last week. I haven’t even finished them.” His oldest sister was almost as bad as his mom. Secretly he feared she was going to surpass their mother soon with her nurturing ways—always trying to feed everyone. It was a wonder Anna’s husband didn’t weigh five hundred pounds by now, but he was still in great condition. Of course being a fireman, he had to stay in shape. Maybe Richie had a secret Sean didn’t know about, like tossing the food to the dog when no one was looking.
“Oh, those will be stale by now. Really, how many times have I reminded you that you have to eat cookies within the first few days of baking; otherwise they don’t taste nearly as good. I’m definitely making cookies to go with your soup.”
He smiled, again no use telling her not to do it; she’d just send him more. That didn’t mean he had to eat them. She’d never know, even if she did make the best double chocolate cookies he’d ever had. “Cookies sound good. Thanks, Mom. How is Dad doing?”
“He’s doing well. I would have called you earlier this week, but I’ve been helping out at the pub.”
“Everything okay?” His mother often helped out, but only if they were short-staffed.
“Yes, yes.” In his mind he could see her waving her hand, like she always did when she said that. “Your father has been experimenting with another new brew. Something dark with oats in it, I think. You know, I don’t know what goes into those beers, but it’s been occupying his time.”
Sean bit back a chuckle. He’d convinced his father to start home brewing years ago. At first his father had balked, but Sean won him over. Convincing Patrick Callahan to sell his beer in the pub had been harder, but Sean managed to wear his father down to putting it on tap. Even Sean had been shocked at how well it sold. Patrick Callahan’s home-brewed beer was now easily forty percent of the pub’s revenue, counting the growlers they filled and sold to walk-ins.
“Tell Dad to send me some beer with the soup and cookies.” He should at least get something he really wanted in the next package.
“You know your father hates shipping his beer.”
Sean did know that. He’d been working on his father for years to branch out and start bottling and selling to retail stores and distribution. He’d even done some research and worked up projections on sales and revenues, but Patrick was standing firmly against it right now. Sean wasn’t one to give in though; he could be just as stubborn as his mother when he wanted. “It will be practice for when he starts bottling and packaging someday.”
“If I tell him that he won’t send you any at all.”
“Very true.”
“You’ll get your beer with the soup, though. I can be persuasive with your father.”
That meant his mother was going to tell his father to do it and his father would decide it wasn’t worth the energy to argue. “Thanks, Mom. That’s why I love you so much.”
“Because I send you soup, cookies and beer? If that was all you cared about you would have been married long before now. Have you found some nice girl yet?”
And there it was. How most of the calls ended up. “Maybe.”
“Really?” she asked excitedly.
He could have bit his tongue for saying that and didn’t know what possessed him. Well, Carly was a nice, sweet girl, so it was the truth. But now his mother would have ideas in her head and that was the last thing he needed when he didn’t even know where things stood with Carly. “Yes. But we only have our second date tonight, so don’t get your hopes up.”
“I have a good feeling about this one.”
Sean shook his head. “Why’s that, Mom? You don’t know a thing about her, not even her name.”
“Because you mentioned her to me and it’s only the second date, that’s why. That means you like her and you’re thinking about her.”
Damn his mother, but she was right. “Maybe,” he repeated.
“Playing coy with me, that’s fine. You go on your date and have a good time. Just enjoy it now.”
He was surprised she wasn’t pushing more like she normally did but let it pass. “I will, but I’ve got to finish up some work now. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Bye, Sean. Love you.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
“Aww, a man who loves his mother.”
Sean turned and looked at Brynn standing in his doorway. He’d talked to her a few times this week in passing, but she’d yet to come into his office. Now five days later, he’d let his guard down, and the look on her face told him he might be getting the long awaited “talk” regarding Carly.
“There’s nothing wrong with a man who loves his mother. You married one yourself.”
“That I did. And no, you’re right, there is nothing wrong with it.”
“What can I do for you?” he asked, looking down at the papers in her hands. Maybe she was here for work.
“If you have a few minutes, I’ve got the details for a rehab and a new build that need to be processed and contracts drawn up.”
“Sure, come on in.”
Ten minutes later, Sean was breathing a sigh of relief that Brynn had yet to bring up Carly’s name or their second date tonight that he suspected she knew about. “I’ll have this all drawn up and on your desk on Monday. What time do you want us over tomorrow?”
“Nine works, if it’s not too early after your date tonight?”
Crap. He almost walked right into that and had to wonder how he slipped. He’d always been smoother than that. “Nine works just fine,” he replied ignoring the comment about his date with Carly.
A bunch of the guys were getting together again to help move Brynn and Alec into their new house this weekend. Thankfully Brynn wasn’t too upset over all the work that had been done two weeks ago when they’d been on their honeymoon.
“Hmm, no comment on your date tonight?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.
He held his tongue and continued to smile at her. She stood up, walked to the door and shut it and then came back and sat in the chair opposite of him. “Is there a problem?” he asked.
“No. I promise not to interfere.”
“Like you are now?” he questioned. He wasn’t bothered it was his boss’s wife sitting across from him. Everyone got along just fine and had a mutual respect for each other.
“True. I feel the need to at least address this first and get it out in the open then.”
“I think Alec already did.”
“He told me he talked to you, but then again, he doesn’t know Carly the way I do.”
“Fair enough.”
“Just be careful with her.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that?”
“She tender. Sweet. Loyal. I don’t know, I guess the best way to describe her is that she wears her heart on her sleeve and could be bruised easily.”
He’d figured that much out about her already. “And I’m used to going in and taking advantage of innocent sweet-natured women, using and abusing them and casting them aside after I’ve had my wicked way with them?”
Brynn winced, as he expected she would. It was said in jest, but under it all, he was getting a little annoyed that everyone seemed to have this negative opinion of him and his motives with Carly. “You’re right. You aren’t like that. It’s just someone like her could easily be taken advantage of. Not saying you would,” she rushed out to clarify.
“That’s good to know. I know you have her well-being at heart and I find that commendable. I’m going to assume she has been taken advantage of before and can assure you it won’t happen with me.”
“I know. I shouldn’t be so defensive about Carly. It’s just, sometimes she is so naive.”
He assumed as much too, which was why he wasn’t pushing her as fast as he had other women he dated.
It’d been ten days since their last date. He’d talked to her a few times and they both were busy, but he waited to even broach the idea of a second date until he was positive she was receptive to it. “I don’t think she is as naive as you think.”
“Probably true.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged and seemed to hesitate, then blurted out. “I shouldn’t say this, and I don’t want you to take it the wrong way, but for some reason I feel you of all people might understand.”
“What’s that?” He was feeling a little nervous himself at the way she was fidgeting in the seat.
“Carly is kind of a throwback to the fifties in her thoughts about family.”
“Excuse me?” Now he was completely lost. Why did Brynn think he would understand that?
“Sorry, not the way you might think. She doesn’t expect a man to support her; actually she is adamant about supporting herself and can stand on her own two feet. But honestly, all she has ever wanted was a family to care for. A husband and kids. Some women dream of big careers, but not Carly. She loves kids, so it was easy for her to decide to be a teacher. But the other part of it is she wanted a career that allowed her to be a mother and a wife too.”
“Ah, okay.” He wasn’t sure what to say or why Brynn was even telling him this. He thought he’d feel uncomfortable hearing it, but surprisingly he wasn’t, just confused at the moment. Though, Brynn was right, he did sort of understand that thinking. His sisters were very similar in their thoughts.
“I’m telling you so you know. If it’s not something you want, then don’t lead her along. That’s all.” She held her hand up when he tried to speak. “And I know, it’s only the second date. I get that. I’m just saying, if things start to progress, keep in mind the type of person she is and don’t lead her on. That’s what I meant about being tender is all.”
“Gotcha.” He could do that. And honestly, no one really knew, but what Carly wanted or dreamed of—based on what Brynn was saying—was exactly the life he grew up in. Despite what people might think, he wasn’t running from that life. He just didn’t want someone to push or force him into it until he was ready.
But it wasn’t only the women in his family who had those thoughts.
Carly paced anxiously around her house waiting for Sean to arrive. She had no idea why she was so nervous all of a sudden. They’d been on one date already. He’d spent hours at her house. They talked about each other’s lives and they bonded over a puppy. Yet for some reason this second date was messing her up inside.
Maybe it was because the first date didn’t really feel like a date. Since it was at her house, she felt comfortable. She spent the time doing what she excelled at: cooking and taking care of someone. Not really taking care of him, but sort of in her mind. A homey evening. One she’d always dreamed about growing up. One she wanted to come home to every day. The white picket fence of her imagination, not the dark black side she had actually lived.
It took him long enough to ask her on the second date, so much so she was thinking he wasn’t interested in her. Which would have been fine. It’s not like she was pining for him, not at all. She liked him and found him attractive, the same as she had plenty of other men.
Except, Sean pulled at her. He was sweet, considerate, and went out of his way to help her. Not just with Droopy that night, offering to walk him and feed him, but also with dinner. He helped her bring the food to the table and clean up afterward. She didn’t think he did it to score points with her either. It all seemed too natural for him.
He did say he’d worked in a pub growing up, so he obviously spent his fair share of time around food and cleaning up. But still, he didn’t hesitate to help her.
It felt nice having him drying the pots that she washed first and handed over. Crazy, she knew, but there it was in her mind anyway, adding to the homey feel of it all. A normal family night she’d conjured in her thoughts while growing up, hoping and wishing to find it.
After their date, they’d spoken each morning when she dropped Droopy off and each night when she picked the puppy up. Neutral conversation—how their days were, how the dog was—nothing deep.
She’d waited for him to make another move, but he didn’t and she worried that maybe having him over for dinner hadn’t been such a good idea. Maybe he was turned off by the domestic feel of it. Was she showing her cards too soon? Should she have played harder to get?
Then the weekend had come and gone and Sean texted her a few times, keeping in contact and letting her know he was thinking of her. By Tuesday he broached the subject of them going to dinner except she had plans that night and the next two nights. Volunteer time for her, making up the time she had canceled when she was afraid to leave Droopy alone the week before.
They finally agreed to a Friday night date. He’d pick her up about six, which gave her plenty of time to finish up grading papers at school, meet with the students that needed extra help, and come home to change and get ready.
And to pace, like she’d been doing for the last twenty minutes.
Stopping in the middle of the living room, she inhaled deeply and let the breath out, then repeated a few more times. Relaxation techniques. There, she felt better now. More composed. Calm. Until the doorbell rang.
Rushing forward, she opened it up and saw him standing there. He looked even more handsome to her at that moment. All last week he’d been wearing more casual business attire, obviously, since she was seeing him at his job. No one really dressed up at Harper’s, but Sean never wore jeans either, Brynn had told her.
Matter of fact, the first time Carly saw him in jeans was when they were painting Brynn’s house. She totally wasn’t prepared for it. Well, it wasn’t the jeans, but the T-shirt he was wearing. She knew he was on the lean side, but his body was really hidden in his work clothes. Not showing off nearly what that T-shirt did.
He was lean, but had plenty of muscle showcased. Not too much, but the perfect amount. He clearly took good care of himself and his physique.
Most of the men she dated wore a suit and tie, or dressed casual at work like Sean did. No one ever looked like Sean in a pair of jeans or a T-shirt though. At first it gave her a moment’s pause. He already was bigger than she was used to, and then she saw how muscular he really was.
But the longer she was around him, the more she forgot about his body and focused on him as a person. So she relaxed and enjoyed herself.
Until now. Because there he stood in nicely fitted jeans and a tailored shirt broadcasting just how nice of a body he had. It might not have been as fitted as the T-shirt from a few weeks ago, but it didn’t need to be. Nope, it showed just enough for her to imagine his body underneath. And there went the nerves again.
Worse yet, he seemed to notice. “Hi, can I come in? Everything okay?”
“What?” She shook her head to clear it. “Yes, sorry. My mind was wandering.” On your body. What was wrong with her? “Come on in. I’ll just grab my purse and we can go.”
“You look nice.”
She looked down at her own jeans. Being so short, she only had one pair that she could actually wear sneakers or flats with, and she had them on last week. Unfortunately they now boasted a paint stain on them. So she was forced to wear her second-favorite pair, the ones Brynn called her sexy jeans.
These jeans were dark washed, fitted, but stretchy so they didn’t look tight, and were pretty comfortable on top of it. But they were long on her. Long enough that Carly was forced to wear extremely high heels so as to not walk on the hem of the jeans. Because of that, she kept her top simple, just a light yellow sweater, and she kept her hair down, her bangs swept to the side as always.
“Thanks, you too.”
He chuckled at her. Oh well, she tried. She guessed men weren’t used to a woman saying they looked nice if they were just wearing jeans.
Holding his hand out for her to proceed, she stepped forward and felt his fingers brush against her side and had all she could do not to gasp. Sensations of feathers brushing along her arm causing chills to race through her body encased her.
“Are you cold?”
Crap. Darn him for noticing the goose bumps. “No. I’m good. Just had a chill. I get them sometimes.”
He smiled at her, all tender and sweet, with mischief behind his eyes, like he knew she was fibbing. He rushed forward and opened the car door for her. He must have noticed the surprised look on her face. “Remember, three older sisters.”
Snickering, she actually was warming up. The nerves were starting to lessen too. “That had to be hard growing up?”
“I could say no, but it would be lying and I don’t want to start off on the wrong foot.”
Wasn’t that sweet? “So what was the worst part about it all?”
“A toss-up between never having privacy and never being able to make a decision on my own. Someone was always telling me what to do and how I should do it.”
He said it so sweetly, with love in his eyes, he had to be joking, so she tested the waters. “And someone is still doing that, right?”
“How’d you guess? In fact, my mother called me today to say she was sending me soup, cookies and beer. She’s afraid I’m wasting away here.”
“Beer?” she asked. That seemed like an odd combination.
“I had to ask for the beer. My father brews and I’m missing his beer. The soup and cookies were coming whether I said I wanted them or not. And it will be enough to feed me several meals. I still have cookies left from the week before that Anna sent me.”
“Anna?” she asked, hoping that was a sister.
“My oldest sister. She’s just like my mother, always sending me food. Kristy, my middle sister, doesn’t send me food so much, rather she is always calling to find out what’s going on in my life and telling me about her life. My youngest sister, Melissa, is the mildest of the bunch, but just as pushy. She sends me food a few times a year, unlike my mother and Anna, who do it monthly, if not weekly.”
“I thought you knew how to cook?”
“I do. And I cook well, but they still think I’m five and they need to feed me. It’s a good thing I live hours away; otherwise I’d weigh a lot more.”
Her eyes roamed over his body. No, she didn’t think he’d weigh more; he just took too good care of himself. “Then I guess it’s a good thing you live here.”
He smirked at her, almost as if he knew where her mind had drifted. “If my guess is correct, I’ll have plenty of potato and ham soup, along with easily a dozen double chocolate cookies next week. Plenty enough for two. I could return the favor and have you over for dinner.”
“That sounds nice. Of course, that still doesn’t prove to me you can cook,” she said teasing a laugh out of him. Okay, warming up even more now, more like herself again. Good start; keep it up, she reminded herself.
“Very true. We’ll have to try that for another night. How about this? I’ll throw together a salad and make some bread. Does that count?”
Make bread. Did he just say
make bread? “
Don’t go to any trouble.”
“Okay, now you sound just like me. I tell my mom that all the time when she says she is going to send me food and I don’t want her to.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.” Crap, so much for keeping up the teasing. “Of course I’d love to come to dinner. I just thought homemade bread is a lot of work. I’ve tried it a few times and it’s one of the few fails I’ve had. I can’t seem to master it.”
“Really? Then I guess you can try mine, and if you like it, I can show you how to make it.”
“I’d like that.” She breathed a sigh of relief that he didn’t take offense to what she had said.
Dinner went off without a hitch. Why she was nervous, she didn’t have a clue. He was just so easy to talk to. So easy to be around—and so easy to fall for.
She had to remind herself to step back. She was crazy to be having those thoughts this soon. She normally didn’t have them much when she was dating someone.
Never had she wanted to let her mind drift that way until she knew the guy was someone she could feel completely comfortable around. For some reason, Sean knocked down the wall she always put up in the beginning. Walls that most people didn’t even know she had.
There was a smoothness to the way Sean talked, dressed and acted. Not in a creepy way, and not in a fake way either. He was open, honest, and simple, for lack of a better explanation. Nothing about him seemed a pretense. Almost like what you saw was what you got, no holds barred.
He was funny and sweet, tender even. Most men wouldn’t like to be described that way, she knew. But she’d bet he didn’t mind either.
Considerate, that was another thing about Sean that she liked. He was always trying to put her at ease and she appreciated that quality in him. More than anyone could understand. More than she ever wanted to tell people. She’d lived too much of her life in fear, and she didn’t want to do it anymore.
She’d worked so hard to put it all behind and help others do the same. At the first sign that someone might pull her back into that world, she broke it off, and fled fast without a backward glance.
But Sean didn’t show any signs of anything to tip her off. Nothing to lead her to be fearful. Of course they hadn’t known each other that long. But still, he’d worked for the Harpers for years, and that alone said something. They didn’t tolerate shadiness from anyone.
So at the end of the night when he drove her home, then walked her to her door, she didn’t hesitate to ask him in for coffee. His ready agreement didn’t shock her in the least. “Just coffee,” she clarified. She didn’t want to lead him on or give him any false hope of anything else, because coffee was all he was getting.
“I didn’t think otherwise.”
“Seriously? Or are you just saying that?”
“I’m serious. Really, Carly, I don’t picture you as the type of girl to bring a man home on the first or second date. Even though you actually did.”
He was joking, she knew that, and laughed right along with him. “True. I’m not that way. I’m not even the third-date type of girl.” She tossed that out there too, just to see his reaction. There had to be something wrong with him. He almost seemed too good to be true.
“Thank God for that, because my mother told me never to get involved with a third-date girl.”
She couldn’t help smiling. It was just the thing to say, and the right time to say it. She wasn’t stupid. She knew if she offered to bring him upstairs, he wouldn’t turn her down. Just the same, she replied with, “Good. I wouldn’t want to get on your mother’s bad side.”
“Oh, I’m not sure that is even possible.”
She wasn’t sure what he meant by that—and was afraid to ask.