Rusty rested his elbows on the kitchen table, eyeing the picture frame. He still couldn’t believe it had survived the fire. Well, almost. Only one corner had gotten burned. Even the photos inside showed no signs of water damage. It was a miracle.
Jimmy set his phone down on the counter and joined him at the table. “I’m glad it could be salvaged. Are you going to fix it?”
Rusty traced the words at the bottom. “I’m not sure what I’ll do with it.”
Jimmy smacked him in the shoulder. “You’ll figure it out. Well, looks like Trianna’s gonna be tied up for a while. Apparently, Cathy and Devon will be getting married this evening at the new Senior Center.”
“Really?”
Jimmy crossed his legs, resting his ankle on his knee. “Yep. I’m glad that it all worked out for them. I’ve always been fond of Cathy.”
Rusty eyed the fire marshall’s report on the table in front of him. “Thanks for getting this to me so quick. I don’t want to crash here too much longer.”
“As we keep telling you, you can stay as long as you like. When you get the insurance money, you think you’ll rebuild the house just like it was?”
Rusty shrugged. “I don’t know. I might just put a small cabin on it and use the rest of the money for something else.”
“What else do you want to do with it?”
Rusty ran his finger down the crack in the antique farmhouse table. “I don’t know exactly, but I don’t want to come home every day to a big empty house. I might try to start growing organic vegetables, and I might even go to the culinary school in Riverbend. I won’t have the restaurant paying for it, so I’ll need some of the money from the house.”
“I think that’s an excellent plan. You’re still welcome to live here while you’re rebuilding. That way you won’t have to pay rent and won’t have to work multiple jobs.” Jimmy went to the kitchen. “Hey, do you mind helping me get some things together? Trianna needs me to drop some stuff off at the senior center and I’m afraid the storage room’s packed full of wedding gifts and her stuff from the storage unit in Atlanta we finally cleaned out a few weeks ago. Not to mention my junk.”
Rusty lifted the frame from the table, following Jimmy. “Sure. Do you mind storing this until I figure some things out?”
Jimmy took it from him. “I’m sure we can find a place to keep it safe.”
Hearing a car pull into the driveway, they both stopped and looked toward the front of the house. Jimmy went to the door and peered out. “It’s Devon West’s car. Becca’s the only one in it, though.” He looked back at Rusty. “Perhaps you’ll have a reason to build that big house after all.” Jimmy disappeared back to the storage room, leaving Rusty standing at the window, watching Becca sashay up the front walk.
The light breaking through the clouds shone on her smooth complexion. Even without makeup, her skin was perfect. She looked tired, but determined. The sight of her, even now, made his breath quicken and his palms sweat. No other girl had ever done that to him before. Was she here to speak to him or Jimmy? Maybe Trianna sent her to pick something up for the wedding.
Feeling awkward, he plastered a fake smile on his face and opened the front door. “Hi there. Come on in.” Rusty stepped back to allow her through the door. She had a bag on her arm full of books. “What’s going on?”
Becca scanned the room as if to see if they were alone. “I’m so sorry to bother you. I know you must be going through a lot right now.” She removed the bag from her shoulder and walked to the table. “But I need to ask you for a favor.”
“Anything.” Rusty closed the door and moved instinctively to her side, but she stepped away from him. His heart fell, but he kept a straight face, not wanting her to see his pain.
“It might be too much to ask right now. I feel awful even coming, but I thought you might actually enjoy the challenge and it would give you something to focus on during this tough time.” Becca set the bag down on the table and pulled out a few old cookbooks.
“I guess this has something to do with cooking?” Rusty pointed to the red and white checkered book in her hand.
“Yes, but it’s a big job.” Becca pressed her hands against the top of the table and lowered her head. “Maybe this was a bad idea. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here.”
Rusty snagged the cookbook before she could put it back into the bag, touching her hand in the process. She gasped, but didn’t pull it away. “Please, tell me what you want me to do. I’ll do anything.” He hoped she took his meaning.
“Anything?” She stared into his eyes for several seconds before she turned away. “I need you to cater a wedding in about nine hours. Do you think you can do it?”
Rusty would say anything if it meant he could continue touching her. “How many people?”
She placed the book back on the table, taking her hand with it. “Um, the town. Well, not everyone, but anyone who’s available. I’m waiting on a final count from Karen Wanke. She needs to know, too, because she’ll be making cupcakes. You’ll just have to make the main food. Nothing fancy. Buffet style will work, I think. My father gave me his credit card to buy any groceries we’ll need. If you say yes, I’ll leave planning the menu to you.”
“I’ll do it.”
Becca nodded and grabbed her purse to leave.
No. I can’t let her walk away from me again. Life would mean nothing without her.
Thinking fast, he added, “But only if you help. I mean, I don’t know much about wedding food. I’ve never gotten married.” He shoved his hands in his pockets to keep from touching the soft strand of hair that poked out from under her knit cap. His fingers brushed the engagement ring, still in his pocket since the moment she’d returned it to him. He fisted it and prayed she’d agree to spend even a little time with him.
“If you need me, I’ll stay. I want everything to be perfect for Cathy and my father. They deserve a happily-ever-after.” She opened the cookbooks and removed her coat. “Okay, let’s get to work.”
Rusty rolled up the cuffs of his flannel shirt and said a silent prayer of thanks. Somehow, he just knew that Frank had brought them back together. “We should probably serve southern fare since pretty much everyone in town would like that. Home-style, but with a little charm.”
Becca’s lips pressed together as if she were trying not to laugh.
“Hey, what’s so funny?”
“You. The way you light up when you talk about food. How do you manage to stay so fit when you cook so much? I know I gained at least several pounds since…well, since I met you.”
Rusty turned the page in the cookbook, not seeing what he was looking for. “I guess you were meant to meet me since you were too skinny before. Although, you’re still the prettiest girl in Tennessee.”
“None of your smooth talking. If I remember correctly, you smooth-talked me into staying in Sweetwater County when my mother showed up. Only you could have done that. But I’m glad you did. I’ve really grown to love this little town.”
Hope flooded through him, but he didn’t want to push too hard. Instead, he snapped the cookbook closed. “Let’s go shopping. I think I’ll do a little twist on some of these old recipes. Hopefully, we can call Karen on the way and get a head count.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Becca grabbed the book and shoved it inside her bag.
“Hey, Jimmy. You still need help in the storage room?”
“No, man. I got it,” he hollered back.
“Okay. Becca and I are headed out. I’ll see you at the wedding later.”
“See you then.”
Rusty held up Becca’s coat for her to slide her arms in then snagged his own from the coat rack.
“You look happy. It’s good to see you excited about something.” Becca headed for her car.
“I’ll drive. Do you need to drop your dad’s car off at Cathy’s?”
“No. He’s with the Gaylords and Benjamins. They’re whisking them around town, getting the marriage license, rings, and such.”
Rusty ran up and opened the truck door for her, more nervous than he was on their first official date. He had a lot of making up to do, and he wasn’t about to waste another minute.
After he backed out and headed for town, Becca straightened her coat and pulled down the visor to look in the mirror. “I can’t believe I left the house with no makeup on and my hair stuffed into a hat. I’ll have to make sure I have time to run home and change.”
“You look amazing. As I said, prettiest girl in Tennessee.”
“Ha. Well, I still can’t go to the wedding like this.”
“I’ll make sure you’re home in time to change. Especially if you’re going to wear the blue dress you had on the other day.” Rusty pulled into the grocery store parking lot and hopped out before she had a chance to say anything. He wasn’t going to give her the opportunity to reject him. He’d done enough of that for both of them.
Becca called for the final numbers from Karen while traipsing beside him, helping him shop for the items they’d need. Some of the fresh herbs he would’ve liked to use weren’t available, so he’d have to make do with what he had.
“When do you leave for your internship? I know I don’t have the right, but I’m so proud of you.”
Becca stopped next to the shelf of Arborio rice. He thought she’d tell him it was none of his business, but instead she picked up the rice he pointed at and dropped it in the cart. “I’m not going.”
He stopped. “What? You have to go. Why would you turn down such an amazing opportunity? It’s your dream.”
Becca gripped the side of the cart. “It wasn’t a good fit. And besides, I would’ve just been running away again.”
“From what?” Rusty asked, touching that stray piece of hair. It kept calling to him, the way it fluttered around her face. It was as soft as he’d remembered.
“Not what. Who.” She averted her gaze. “I would’ve been running from you. The thought of seeing you every day tore me up inside, but then I realized I had to face it.”
Rusty pulled her into his arms right there in the middle of the aisle. “No, you don’t. I was so stupid. None of it was your fault. I lied. I let someone convince me that I wasn’t any good for you. I thought I was letting you go so you could be the person you deserve to be.”
Becca cupped his face and he thought he’d soar to Heaven. “I know all about that. My father can be very persuasive.”
“Then you understand? We can be together after all? I’ll rebuild my home and we can get married and—”
Becca turned away from him, taking his heart with her. “No, we can’t.”
“Why not?” Rusty hovered behind her, dying to pull her back into his arms. He spun her back to face him. “Tell me.”
“Because. No matter what he said, in the end you left. You promised me something when you gave me that ring. But you broke that promise. You abandoned me.” She sighed and continued down the aisle.
His insides blackened at knowing he’d caused the pain he could see in her eyes. No matter what, he’d find a way to win her back. Even if it took the rest of his life to prove he’d never leave her again.