Bryan wanted more students, and he got them. As usual, the joke was on him.
“We didn’t know you were teaching classes. Shelby and I would have signed up first thing. Tell me we haven’t missed much.” Beth Jones twirled her index finger around a lock of straight blond hair. Her skintight black pants looked more appropriate for an aerobics class, but Bryan didn’t know much about fashion. If burrs got stuck in the skimpy material, that was her problem.
“Yeah, Bry, why you keeping it a secret?” Shelby Lattimer chewed a piece of gum and tightened her ponytail of long, wavy brown hair. She wore equally unsuitable pants, except hers were dark gray with a hot-pink stripe down the side of each leg.
Two years younger than Bryan, both Beth and Shelby had been flirting with him and his brothers since the ladies had turned thirteen. Beth had been engaged a few years ago, but Shelby rotated through the single guys in Lake Endwell. His sisters classified her as a serial dater. The way they said it made it sound similar to a serial killer. One thing he was sure of? Neither Beth nor Shelby had joined his class to learn about nature.
“The class isn’t a secret.” Bryan flexed his hands. “It’s been on the town website for a month.”
Why did they have to show up for his class? Why couldn’t someone join who would actually get something out of it? Someone like Jade. Speaking of... Where was she?
“When did you get a dog?” Shelby’s lips curled downward as she eyed Teeny.
“I’m taking care of her for a friend.”
Beth touched his arm, gazing up at him through thick lashes and heavy eyeliner. “I can’t wait to learn more about surviving in the great outdoors.”
“Good.” He shoved his sunglasses on top of his head. “We’ll be heading out in a few minutes.”
Voices from the parking lot diverted his attention. Jade strolled next to Sam. She tipped her head back and laughed at something he said.
Bryan ground his teeth together. This morning got better and better. When had they met? And why was it causing his blood to bubble at a low simmer?
“Hey.” Sam waved to Bryan, but all his focus was on Jade. “I came to get Teeny, but maybe I should stay for the class.”
“I’m watching Teeny.” Jade grinned.
“Then I’ll keep you company,” Sam replied with an appreciative smile.
Bryan’s temples tightened to the point of a blood clot. He searched Jade’s face for a clue on what she was feeling, but he wasn’t picking up on any discomfort at the idea of hanging out with his little brother. She’d crouched to pet behind Teeny’s ears and was making baby talk to the smitten animal.
Sam grinned. “Hey, Beth. Shelby. Don’t tell me you’re interested in hiking.” They greeted him as enthusiastically as they had Bryan, which Bryan took as a good sign. Maybe Sam would take the class. They’d flirt with Sam instead of him, and Bryan could concentrate on today’s topic—building natural shelters. Not that any of them would pay attention, anyhow.
Jade straightened and smoothed her hair. He couldn’t help but admire her outfit. Jeans, a long-sleeved plaid button-down over a tank top, and hiking boots. Much more appropriate than the other women’s clothes.
Jade. All-American. All too appealing.
He looked at his hodgepodge class—not remotely the kinds of students he’d hoped to attract—and wished he’d never put those fliers up. But an image of the picturesque village near the retreat in Ontario came to mind. All week he’d spent hours clicking through websites of local attractions, including the nearby freshwater beaches, caves, hiking trails and cultural activities. He’d put up with the inevitable flirting for a chance to move there.
“Beth, Shelby,” Bryan said. “I’d like you to meet Jade Emerson. She’s opening a T-shirt shop in town.”
“Oh, we heard about that.” Beth and Shelby crowded around her. “Are you going to sell custom workout clothes?”
As Jade answered their questions, Bryan pulled Sam aside. “Are you really going to stay?”
Sam shrugged. “Might as well.”
Bryan put a lid on his irritation. “Why don’t you join the class?”
“No offense, brother, but don’t you think Jade needs some help with Warhorse here?”
That kind of go-to attitude didn’t come as a shock, but the sensation of swallowing a handful of thumbtacks hit Bryan, anyway. He wanted to be the one helping Jade with the dog, but what right did he have to interfere? None.
Bryan widened his stance. “Don’t take her into the woods.”
“Why not?”
He wasn’t spilling Jade’s secrets. Secrets weren’t shared lightly. “Teeny might see a rabbit or something, and we both know how that would go.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be right there if Teeny gets out of line.”
That’s what Bryan worried about. Jade did not need his brother gawking over her. Now how was he going to focus on teaching? He glanced at Beth and Shelby. He should drop them off at a juice bar where they belonged. Sam had resumed his spot next to Jade.
He’d better get this over with. “Let’s go.”
* * *
Jade held Teeny’s leash and tried to drag her eyes from Bryan. His thin grayish-blue shirt, jeans and hiking boots suited him, and his stubble made him appear more rugged, more attractive, more everything.
The two bombshells fawning over him? Both were friendly. Maybe a tad too flirty with the Sheffield brothers, but who could blame them? The Sheffield men had been blessed with good looks and winning personalities. From the hearsay Jade gathered each morning at the Daily Donut, the Sheffields were considered Lake Endwell’s first family.
Bryan strode away with Beth and Shelby chatting on either side of him. What would it feel like to be part of a respected, close-knit family? Both her parents were certainly respected, but she’d been excluded from the mix. Although they were blood related, she’d always been an outsider with her nose pressed to the window of their lives. Would she have turned out differently if one of her brilliant parents had raised her?
She hitched her chin. Who cared? She’d turned out fine with Mimi’s help.
The blonde and brunette flanked Bryan, leaning in and laughing as they headed across a small lawn. Jade glanced down at her plaid red shirt over a white tank top. Definitely hillbilly compared to the sporty, body-shaping outfits Beth and Shelby wore.
“Today we’re making natural shelters.” Bryan’s voice carried.
“Do you want me to take her?” Sam held his hand out.
With a start, Jade jerked her chin toward him. “What?”
“Teeny. Want me to take her?”
She attempted to smile. “No, I’ve got it.” Sam resembled Bryan, but he had a less serious air about him. They shared those brilliant blue eyes, an athletic build and dark blond hair, although Sam’s was more brown than Bryan’s.
“I’m surprised she’s this calm.” Sam matched Jade’s stride. “She almost pulled me off my feet earlier when she saw a leaf blow across the yard.”
“You should have seen her at obedience class. She chased down a Chihuahua. The poor pup cowered under a chair. It wasn’t pretty.”
Sam chuckled. “Do you have a dog? You’re good with her.”
“No, but animals like me. I have no idea why.”
“Probably because you have an easy way about you,” Sam said. “I ran into Libby the other day and she went on and on about your store. You’d think she was the one opening it.”
“Really?” Jade took it as a compliment. “When she and your aunt Sally stopped by, the space was empty. I’ve set the display tables up now. No merchandise yet, but I’m working on it. So where are we taking little Miss Teeny?”
“The path Bryan is on leads to a big clearing. It has a nice view.”
“Do we have to walk through trees?” She nibbled her fingernail.
Sam looked taken aback, but he thought about it. “Maybe twenty feet. The path is paved and wide. We’ll be able to handle Teeny.”
Twenty feet. To a clearing with a view. Could she do it? “I don’t know.”
“It’s my favorite spot out here.”
She didn’t want to tell him about her fear. Maybe she’d be okay.
Or maybe she needed to be honest with Sam. Stay where it was safe.
Sam chattered about a movie, and she took a deep breath, trying to keep her mind on what he was saying.
“After the movie, Libby told me about your T-shirts. Said something about jewelry, too. She kept gabbing on about Moira and her custom necklaces.”
“Libby mentioned Moira, but I haven’t contacted her yet.” Jade hadn’t contacted Libby, either. She’d wanted to text Libby several times, but she felt funny about it. Would Libby think she was glomming on to her?
Memories of lonely months in New York City kicked around in her mind. Making new friends had been stressful. One of the women at work initially seemed eager to spend time with her, but when Jade called to make plans, the woman evaded her. It was so embarrassing. Since then, Jade had a hard time deciphering whether someone genuinely wanted to get to know her or was just saying the right thing to be nice.
“Don’t worry. When Libby has something in her head, she doesn’t rest until it’s done. She’ll be knocking on your door any day now. Guaranteed. But don’t feel pressured into it.”
Jade hoped he was right. She liked Libby. And she wanted friends.
They reached the path, and as if on cue, her throat tightened and vision blurred. Jade wound Teeny’s leash around her hand twice to shorten it. Her heartbeat thumped in her chest.
Go time.
But could she go? In there?
Sam turned to her and frowned. “You coming?”
“I, um...” She blinked rapidly, her stomach heaving. Teeny caught sight of something and dashed forward, jolting Jade off her feet. Her legs steamrolled ahead, and she had to fight to keep her balance.
“Hey, stop!” Sam called to Teeny, but the dog ignored him. “Teeny, stop!”
Jade yanked the leash, forced her body to freeze and hoped she wouldn’t hyperventilate.
A few seconds later, Bryan appeared, his cheekbones etched against his skin. He took the leash from Jade, handed it to Sam and jerked his chin back the way he’d come. “Beth and Shelby are in the clearing. Go with them a minute, will you, Sam? Have them start gathering leaves and twigs.”
Sam opened his mouth to reply but must have thought better of it. He jogged with Teeny up the path.
Jade’s pulse pounded in her ears. Bryan put his hand on her shoulder. She almost leaned into it. Safe. Protective. “I’m sorry, Jade.”
“Why? I’m fine.” She fanned herself. She was not in danger. The dog barely dragged her.
“No, you’re not. The dumb dog.” The muscle in his cheek flickered.
“It’s not her fault. I should have paid better attention.” She wrapped her arms around her waist, her fingertips digging into her skin. What had she expected? She’d embarrassed herself. Why couldn’t she be normal? Why did this have to be so hard?
“I’m sorry. I can’t. I just...” She shook her head and jogged backward, not taking her eyes off Bryan.
* * *
“Jade, wait,” Bryan called. Jade wended in the direction of the parking lot. When he caught up to her, he took her by the arm. A hundred things to say jumbled in his head, but the only thing that came out was, “I’m sorry.”
“I already told you it’s my fault.” She wouldn’t meet his eyes. “I thought I might be okay. I should have known better.”
“Teeny’s a nuisance.”
“You can’t blame the dog. I feel stupid, so I’m going home.” After pulling her keys from her pocket, she pressed the unlock button. Chirp. Chirp.
Bryan blocked her by flattening his hand against the car door. He stood inches from her, all too aware of her vulnerability. He wanted to hold her, soothe her, make it all better.
“Wait.” His stomach plummeted at the hollowness in her eyes. Something more was there than fear. Something deeper.
She shook her head. “You need to get back to Beth and Shelby.”
“I’m where I need to be. Neither of them care about building natural shelters, anyhow.”
“How can you say that?” A flush rose to her cheeks. “They showed up today, didn’t they? Now go back there so you can write down the hours or whatever you’re supposed to log.”
“Not until I’m sure you’re okay,” he said, keeping his voice low.
“I’m fine.”
He pressed closer, taking her hand. He was skating on the thinnest sheet of ice. Five years he’d denied himself. Attraction, affection—all off-limits. What would happen when the ice shattered? If he opened his heart a crack, he’d get hurt. Women didn’t want the quiet life he enjoyed. They wanted someone dynamic. Someone the exact opposite of him.
Didn’t matter. He wasn’t going to date Jade. He didn’t want to date anyone. But God had crossed their paths for a reason.
“Remember the day we met, what Libby said over pizza?” Bryan asked.
“I remember.”
“Do you believe God planned this?”
“Yes.” She rubbed her arm. “Mimi always told me everything happens for a reason. When I go to church, I hear the same message.”
“I think He leads us all the time.”
“Yeah, me, too.”
“But it doesn’t mean I always listen to Him.”
Her face blanked, then her eyebrows drew together. “Do you hear Him?”
“I haven’t heard an audible voice or seen a burning bush.” He raked his fingers through his hair. He rarely discussed religion with anyone. He showed up to church, prayed, read the Bible and that was it. The words flamed to life, though. “But I know when I’m being spiritually prompted.”
“I do, too.”
“Libby verbalized what I’ve been feeling since the day we met—God introduced us for a reason.”
Her eyes darted back and forth. He was making a mess of this. He’d never been good at heart-to-hearts. Now she probably thought he was losing his mind.
“I think God wants you here in Lake Endwell,” he said. “And I think I’m supposed to help you.”
“I agree with you about Lake Endwell, but...” She avoided his eyes and shrugged. “You don’t have to help me.”
“I want to help.” He bent slightly to look into her eyes. No one ever needs me. But you do. She hesitated and smiled. It reached in and plucked a string loose from his heart, unraveling the ragged patch job he’d slapped together when Abby walked out.
Jade stood on her tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a hug. “Thanks.”
And Bryan forgot how to breathe. “I’d better get back to class.”