“Hey, yourself,” Jill said with a smile in her voice. “How’s the book coming?”
“It’s practically writing itself. This guy’s journey is…” Lyle couldn’t quite put into words how affected he was by Jack’s story. “Let’s just say I’m enjoying my work.”
“I heard there might be another reason you’re enjoying your work.”
He leaned against the counter and crossed his ankles. “What are you talking about?”
“Olivia thinks you’re hot for his sister, although from what she’s said, I can’t imagine why.”
“I’m not hot for his sister. Jeez, Olivia’s such a juvenile.”
“You don’t find her attractive? Olivia said she was pretty, but she had an attitude.”
“She’s got an attitude, all right. From what I can tell, I think it’s justified. She had a rough childhood, which she refuses to talk about.”
“So ask your interview subject.”
“He’s very careful to skirt around my questions about her. I’m not sure, but I think something happened after he left home that he feels guilty about.”
“That sounds like heavy stuff. Are you sure you want to get involved with a woman who may have a checkered past?”
“I never said I was involved.”
“You never said you weren’t. I know you. Plus, Olivia’s got a sick sense when people are attracted. It’s kind of her thing.”
“Whatever.” Lyle pushed away from the counter and flopped onto the couch. “How’s the wedding planning?”
“Urrgh. Don’t ask. Whoever said this was fun eloped.”
“It’s not too late, ya know.”
“Speaking of the wedding, can you let Olivia know the bridal shop called and her dress is ready?”
“Why are you telling me? Why not call her?”
“I did call her, but she didn’t answer. How’s she doing?”
Lyle grabbed the remote and turned the TV to ESPN. “She’s more upset than she’s letting on. She went to work at the Tap today, which is good because all she was doing was sitting around moping.”
“No one can mope like Olivia.” Lyle heard someone talking to Jill. “I’ve got to go. Don’t forget to tell Olivia about the dress.”
“I won’t. Talk to you later.”
Lyle flicked through channels until he settled on a Rockies game in the third inning. Olivia came home just as their hotshot young pitcher shut out the side.
“Hard day?” she asked before kicking his feet off the couch and sitting down.
“I’m taking a break.” He crossed his ankles on the coffee table. “Jill called. Your dress is ready.”
“Oh, that was quick.” Olivia snatched his beer and took a swig. “How did she sound?”
“Who?”
“Jill. Did she say anything strange?”
“Strange how?”
“About the wedding?” Olivia asked.
“I don’t think she’s enjoying the planning, but…” He shrugged.
Olivia chewed the inside of her lip like he’d seen her do when she was stressed. “I think something’s going on with her.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know, but I have a sinking feeling she’s not into this wedding.”
“I just told you she wasn’t,” Lyle said.
“I know, but I’m worried she’s having second thoughts.”
“About getting married? Jill?” He scratched behind his ear. “Why would you say that?”
“It’s just a feeling I get. She seemed mildly interested in picking out her dress and the bouquet, but she’s let her mom steam roll her through the rest. It’s like she doesn’t even care. When a woman stops caring about the details of her wedding, it can mean only one thing.”
“She’d rather elope?” Lyle guessed.
“That she’s questioning her decision.”
Lyle dropped his feet to the floor and sat up. “You think she’s changed her mind about marrying Ty?”
Olivia shrugged. “I don’t know, but something’s not right. I just can’t put my finger on what it is.”
Chapter 22
Jack drifted around the store trying not to knock anything over. He was bored after only ten minutes in the used instrument store Erica had dragged him to when he said he needed to get out of the house. Erica, on the other hand, was deep in a discussion with a store employee about the merits of owning a ukulele.
He stepped outside into the cool October day. The sun felt good on his face. Jack didn’t want to wander too far; he hadn’t told Erica he was leaving and he never felt too confident walking around unfamiliar places. He edged down to the next window and wondered if it was where the enticing coffee smell originated.
“Window shopping?”
Jack spun around, unable to keep the grin off his face. Perhaps that was why he’d felt restless earlier. “Hello, Olivia. This is a nice surprise.”
“It’s a surprise.” She held something, but he couldn’t tell what. “They’ve got great coffee and pastries if you’re looking for a treat.”
“Running into you was treat enough, unless you care to join me?” Being unable to see her face and read the emotions on display irritated him. He felt sure Olivia had a face full of emotions.
“I suppose I could buy you a cup of coffee to thank you for the flowers. They were unnecessary, you know.”
“Some of the best things in life are unnecessary.”
“Like diamonds and pearls?” she asked with a laugh.
“Like stolen kisses and undeniable chemistry.”
When she stood silent, he could only wonder how his words affected her. “Am I in trouble again?”
She linked her arm through his. “Come on, money bags.
You
can buy
me
coffee and a pastry.”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
He ordered what she recommended: a cinnamon bun and the house blend coffee. His admiration for her grew as she asked him about what he liked instead of reading him the menu and making him feel inadequate. He knew she must be an excellent teacher. An idea, long debated and set aside, sprung back to life in his head.
Later
, he decided.
For now I’ll simply enjoy her company.
“So how’s the suspension?” he asked after they snagged a booth by the window. “Any progress?”
He wanted to snatch back his question when her body tensed and her easy mood disappeared. “They’ve appointed an investigator from Pueblo. Now I wait.”
“Will you be interviewed?”
“Yes. Next week.”
“Are you nervous?”
She shrugged and drummed her fingers on the table. “I could tell you no, but I’d be lying. I try not to lie.”
“An honorable quality.”
“How’s the book coming? Lyle seems sufficiently enthralled in your story.”
“He’d know better than me. I’m just talking about what happened.”
“Is it hard?” she asked. “Reliving it all?”
“I could tell you no, but I’d be lying.” He took a sip of really good coffee. He and Erica could never master the art at home. “I thought I was prepared to go through it again, tell it to Lyle like it was just something that happened, but your roommate is a good listener and he asks a lot of questions. Lyle leaves no stone unturned. Turns out, I’ve hidden some painful truths under quite a few stones.”
Olivia reached across the table and laid her hand over his. The gesture, so simple and honest, left him stunned. In all his experience with women, he’d never wanted or needed comfort. Perhaps her own vulnerability was weakened his resolve. He linked their fingers and held tight when she half-heartedly tried to pull away. “I’m sorry, Jack.”
“It’s my own doing. The book was my idea.”
“Can I ask you why?”
“Why I wanted my story told?” He took a deep breath and sat back, but didn’t let go of her hand. “Erica keeps asking me why, too. I think it’s because I’m finally at a place where I’ve accepted my condition. I resent it, I hate it, but I’ve accepted it. I’m visually impaired. Thank God there are resources and adaptive technology for people like me, or I wouldn’t ever have clawed my way out of the dark. I had perfect vision for thirty-two years and a life that many envied. That’s more than a lot of people get.”
“You still have a life that a lot of people envy.”
He liked her more and more with every second they spent together. He didn’t want to waste any more time feeling melancholy when she was around. “Are you one of them?”
She laughed, and the lilting melody of it made him smile. “Sure. You’re rich, incredibly good looking, and successful. You have your health, a sister who loves you, and many accomplishments in your young life. I’d also bet you’ve never been accused of sexual harassment.”
“Feeling sorry for yourself, Olivia?”
“Yes, but I’ll get over it. One of these days.”
“Speaking of days…How are you filling yours? Bad TV and copious amounts of alcohol?”
“All methods I’ve used in the past, but no. I’m working for my brother at the Tap. The extra money doesn’t hurt.”
“Can you pencil in some free time? Just like this highly recommended cinnamon bun, I’m going to need more than just a nibble. I’d like to expand this snack to a full meal.”
“You have no idea how tempting your offer is, Jack, but I’ve got to decline.”
“Is this about the whole ‘friends with benefits’ comment? Because my terms are pretty negotiable.”
She pulled her hand from his, and he let go. “I just can’t.”
“Olivia, I’ve never offered to negotiate terms with any woman.”
“I’m suitably impressed, but this is about doing the right thing for me. I’m not in any position to enter into a negotiation or anything else with you.”
“I’m going to do everything I can to change your mind,” he warned her.
“I’d be disappointed in you if you didn’t.”
Erica didn’t have to clear her throat for Jack to know she’d found him and was spitting mad at having had to search. Sitting with Olivia added fuel to her fire. “Thanks for telling me you’d left the store,” she said.
“You’re a big girl, Erica. I figured you could make a purchase without my help.”
“Did you figure I’d be worried when I couldn’t find you?”
“My fault,” Olivia said to Jack’s surprise and amazement. Not many people dared to stand up to Erica when she was in a mood. “I enticed him with coffee and pastries.” She picked up the paper menu and held it out for Erica. “I’ll treat you to whatever you want as an apology.”
Erica’s back went straight and she squeezed Jack’s shoulder. Hard. “No, thanks. Let’s go.”
Oh, yes, Jack thought. His instincts about Olivia would serve them both well. He stood. “Thank you for the treat,” he said to Olivia.
“You paid,” she reminded him.
“I meant your company.” He picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. It didn’t hurt his ego when he felt her pulse trip beneath the delicate skin on her wrist. “Until next time.”
Chapter 23
Lyle couldn’t concentrate on his notes, so he went to the cabin and tried to figure out what was wrong with the wood burning stove. When all he ended up doing was getting dirty and frustrated, he went in search of his stepdad. Dodge could fix anything.
Dodge’s truck wasn’t at the main barn or the house, but Lyle stopped anyway in hopes that his mom wouldn’t mind him bumming a sandwich. He hadn’t eaten since the granola bar he’d wolfed down hours earlier and his hunger only added to the day’s frustration.
He found his mom where he thought he would: in her office at her computer. From behind, she looked like a teenager with her honey brown hair in a ponytail and the nervous bobbing of her jean clad leg. He tried to back away quietly so as not to disturb her.
“You don’t have to creep away, Lyle. I heard you come in.”
“Sorry. I thought I was being quiet.”
“You’re a man. I don’t think that’s actually possible.”
“Ha, ha. Where’s Dodge?”
“He’s not at the barn?”
“Nope.”
“He said something about running into Westmoreland for a part for his truck.”
“Oh.” He leaned against the door jam and looked around her office. She still kept the picture of him and Kevin on her desk. His dad had taken the picture over a decade ago on the banks of the frozen river the one time they’d come out to go skiing. Lyle always figured it was her way of remembering him and keeping his memory alive. “Whatcha working on?”
“Rewrites. If only I could get it right the first time.” She whipped the reading glasses from her face and tossed them on her desk. “Hungry?”
“Aren’t I always?”
They walked arm in arm to the kitchen. He sat down at the bar as she pulled bread, sandwich meat, and condiments from the refrigerator. It didn’t matter how old he was, his mother always insisted she make his sandwiches.
“So what’s on your mind?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Stuff.”
“Want to talk about it?”
Wasn’t that the real reason he’d sought her out? He could have made his own sandwich back at the apartment or stopped and gotten something when his stomach started to growl. “It’s Jill.”