It just so happened that Nick drove past the Duncan house when he was going from one job in the morning to the lodge in the afternoon. Glancing at the house, he thought about his deal with Cecelia, but then shook his head. He had no idea what to say to Will, and he needed to get to the lodge. Every excuse in the world stomped through his mind, but he thought of Cecelia and what she’d said about Beth. The guilt tightened around him like a vise.
Groaning and swearing under his breath, he made a U-turn in the middle of the road. Might as well get it over with, he told himself. Whatever he said to Will probably wasn’t going to make a darn bit of difference, but he felt obligated because he’d agreed to do it for Cecelia and though he was the last person to encourage a man to get into a serious relationship, he thought Beth and Will could be good for each other.
Spotting Will’s car in the driveway, he nixed the hope that maybe the man wasn’t home.
Nick pulled his truck in behind Will’s old vehicle and cut the engine, wondering what in the world he was going to say. Rubbing his hand over his face, he shrugged and walked to the front porch. He rapped on the door and waited. No answer. Good, he thought. He would take that as a sign that he should keep his mouth shut. Turning around, he walked toward his truck.
“Hey there,” Will called and Nick felt a sinking sensation in his gut. “It took me an extra minute to get to the door. I’m washing clothes. Never realized how much dirty laundry a couple of little kids could produce. Come on in and have a coffee.”
“No tea party today?” Nick asked, following the man inside.
“Not with me,” Will said and chuckled. “She’s at school. Have a seat. I’ll be right back.”
“I can get my own coffee,” Nick said.
“I can get it, too.” Using a cane, Will went into the kitchen and returned with a hot cup.
Nick took a sip and shuddered. “That would wake you up if you were in a coma.”
Will shot him a wily smile. “That’s good military coffee. You’ve been drinking too many of those sissy lattes.”
“Maybe I have,” Nick agreed. “How are the kids?”
“Doing good. Just trying to keep them fed, well and busy. The little one is having a harder time, but she’s coming along.”
“How do they like granddad’s cooking?” Nick asked.
Will winced. “Gonna have to work on that. I don’t remember being so picky when I was a kid. They’ll eat breakfast, spaghetti and chicken fingers and fries. I’ve been ordering pizza a couple times a week.”
“Nothing wrong with pizza,” Nick said.
“That’s not what my doctor says,” Will said. “Or B—” He broke off and turned back to the kitchen. “I think I’ll get some coffee, too.”
He returned and sat across from Nick in an old vinyl recliner. “You keeping busy?” Will asked.
“Very,” he said. “Between my independent business and working on the lodge, it feels like I’m booked from dawn till after dusk.”
“Well, you make sure you take a break every now and then. No need to work yourself to death.”
“Right,” Nick said and braved another sip of the coffee. Time to take the plunge. “So, word’s going around that you dumped Beth Crowder and broke her heart.”
Will gave a heavy sigh. “That woman had no business hanging around me. She’s young, pretty and can cook like nobody’s business. She deserves a man who’s not old and busted up like me.”
“Funny,” Nick said. “She never described you as old and busted up. In fact, she said you’re a real man.”
Will scratched his cheek in a self-conscious gesture. “That’s sweet, but being with an old man with an injury and diabetes and two grandkids is going to get old fast.”
“Hmm,” Nick said and set down his cup of coffee. “I guess you’ll never know for sure.”
“I know good enough,” Will said. “Any woman would get tired of this situation.”
“I never would have believed it,” Nick said, remembering what Cecelia had said. He wondered if she was right.
“Believed what?” Will asked, throwing Nick a cautious glance as he took a sip of coffee.
“I think you’re scared,” Nick said bluntly.
Will made a choking sound. “What the—”
“Yeah. A good woman is falling for you and you’re too scared to take a chance with her,” he said.
“You’re crazy,” Will said and stood. “Out-of-your-mind crazy.”
“I don’t think so,” Nick said. “You’re afraid you’re going to start having some feelings for her and then she’ll leave.”
Will scowled. “Well, I may be old, but I’m not an old fool. That’s exactly what will happen. I’ve already been having feelings for her, as you said. How am I going to deal with having that kind of woman in my life and then her leaving? How will the kids deal with it?”
Nick watched the man wipe the perspiration from his forehead. Will was literally sweating over this. “Well, you know, it’s not like you have to marry her.”
“Oh, yes, I would,” Will said. “She’s that kind of woman. Good heart, pretty. She just doesn’t know what she’s getting into.”
“I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t play devil’s advocate. What if you’re wrong? What if the two of you fell in love and never fell out of love? What if she is the best thing that ever happened to you? What if you’re the best thing that happened to her?”
Will snorted. “Don’t see how I could be that good for her.”
“Would you protect her?”
“Of course,” he said.
“Take care of her if she gets sick?” Nick asked.
“Yeah,” Will said.
“Tell her she’s pretty?”
Will snorted again. “How could I not? She’s beautiful inside and out.”
“Will, you’ve had enough curve balls thrown at you during your life. Maybe this is your chance to hit a home run. But you’re gonna have to come up to the plate. Otherwise, you’re gonna make yourself, the kids and Beth miserable.”
Will took a deep breath and shook his head. “I gotta finish the laundry. Thanks for stopping by. Give Beth my best,” he said.
Nick shook his head. “You give her your best,” he said. “Take care, now. Thanks for the cup of coffee.”
Nick left the house and headed for the car. He wasn’t sure if Cecelia was going to be pleased with the results of his little talk, but he’d done his best. It was up to Will now.
Nick spent the rest of the day and into evening working at Nate Crawford’s lodge. It was a busy place. Nate’s plans to get it up and running in time for the holidays were beginning to look like a reality. Late that night, he headed back to Strickland’s Boarding House. The only things he wanted were a sandwich, a shower and his bed.
The smell of something baking wafted over him. He inhaled deeply. Chocolate chip cookies. Better than any woman’s expensive perfume. He headed for the kitchen and found Cecelia placing another pan of cookies on cooling racks. She was surrounded by dozens of cookies. Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, she was wearing jeans and a T-shirt—no red lipstick, he couldn’t help but notice—and she was humming. She looked peppy and fresh. So this was happy cooking, he thought and liked the way it looked on her.
“Who’s getting the cookies?” he asked.
She gave a slight jump and turned to meet his gaze. “Soccer kids tomorrow after their games. I promised Brent Mullins a few extra since he’s taking me for wings again after the games are finished,” she said with a smile then glanced at the clock. “Long workday or just getting back from a date?”
“Long workday,” he said, feeling a little sting of irritation at the mention of Brent’s name. “I thought Tim was your guy.”
“I like Brent, too,” she said. “So there’s no reason not to spend time with him. Here, have a cookie,” she said and gave him one. “You look like you need a couple of cookies and a nap. Like preschool,” she said with a grin.
“Why are you so happy?” he asked suspiciously. “Are you getting serious about this Brent guy? Is he making moves? Wanting you to go back to his place?”
“No, Mr. Cranky,” she said. “I just had a good day. I’m baking cookies and I have a date with a nice guy tomorrow.”
“Okay,” he said reluctantly. “I talked to Will today.” He accepted the cookie and nearly inhaled it.
She gaped at him. “Oh, really? What happened?”
“Like I said, I talked to him,” he said and finished the cookie. Ready for the next, he extended his hand and she gave him another cookie.
“Well, tell me,” she demanded.
He scarfed down the cookie and shook his head. “I don’t know. I was pretty rough on him.”
“Really?” she said, clearly surprised. She gave him another cookie.
He nodded and took a bite of the cookie. “Yeah. He was totally in denial. It hurts me to say this, but I think you were right. He’s scared Beth will change her mind and leave him later.”
“Oh, that’s sad,” she said, her smile falling. “What should we do?”
Nick met her gaze. “We? We are not going to do anything. I did enough today. It’s up to Will now.”
Cecelia took a huffy breath of frustration and frowned. She closed her eyes. “I hate it, but I know you’re right.”
Nick felt a sliver of relief. Thank goodness. “I’m grabbing a sandwich and going to bed.”
She looked at him in concern. “Are you sure you’re okay? You know, you did kiss me when I had strep.”
“Your antibiotics had kicked in,” he said. “I’m okay, just tired. Thanks for the cookies. Can I have one more?” he asked.
Cecelia gave him two. “Thanks,” he said and grabbed one of the sandwiches Melba kept in the fridge for her tenants. With cold beer waiting upstairs, he was ready for a quiet night and hopefully good sleep.
While he half watched a football game, Nick inhaled the sandwich, two cookies and two beers. He took a shower and gulped down a half bottle of water and sank into his bed.
Drifting off to sleep, he saw a vision of Cecelia before him. Her hair was in a ponytail and she was dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt. Her dark eyes, however, flamed with desire for him. Her hands were warm as she touched him.
He took her mouth in a kiss and pulled on that ponytail. She rubbed her body against his...her breasts against his chest. She opened her mouth and gave him the most sensual kiss he’d ever experienced.
Feeling her fingers through his hair, against his scalp, he was caught between utter relaxation and arousal. “Can’t get enough of you,” he muttered, and somehow their clothes disappeared. He felt her naked legs entwined in his and her bare torso wiggling against him.
“You feel so good,” he said.
“You feel so good,” she echoed and shimmied against him.
She felt so luxurious, so wild. “Give me all of you,” he said.
He plunged inside her and she tightened around him. “Oh, Nick.”
Her voice took his arousal to another level.
“Cecelia,” he whispered over and over. She was so soft and welcoming.
He tried to pull her against him. He wanted her close. He wanted to keep her safe, but he felt as if he was chasing her warmth. He tried to embrace her, but his arms came up empty. He gripped sheets and called her name. “Cecelia.”
He half awakened and sat up in the bed, wanting her. Breathing harshly, he looked around the room for her. But she wasn’t here. It took Nick several moments to realize that Cecelia wasn’t in his bed. Not only that, she should not be in his bed.
Swearing under his breath, he went to his bathroom and splashed his face with water. He needed to change gears. That dream had been too real. That dream had been too wrong.
Returning to bed, he told himself to think of woodworking. Woodworking was something he could control. Cecelia was something he could not control.
* * *
Though it was a chilly day, Cecelia still conducted her timing and umpire duties for the soccer kids. During their break, they devoured her cookies, juice and water, then returned to the field to make their bee clusters. Cecelia couldn’t help laughing at how they clung together instead of spreading out.
Brent greeted her and she offered a bottle of water to him. “They just can’t help but cluster,” she said.
“I know,” Brent said, cracking open the top and swallowing half the bottle. “Can’t figure out why they persist in clustering. We position them differently in practice.”
“Maybe it’s the excitement of the game.”
“Could be,” he said.
“As long as they’re moving around and having fun,” Cecelia said. “I think they’re a little young to be Olympic serious.”
Brent shook his head. “I’m 100 percent with you on that.” He glanced to the side of the field and waved. “My ex,” he muttered. “Looks like her new boyfriend came with her.”
“You don’t like him?” Cecelia asked.
Brent shook his head. “I don’t know him well enough to like him or not like him. Just as long as he’s good to her and my son.” He glanced back in the same direction with a pensive expression on his face. “I better get back to my post. I’ll see you later for those wings, okay?”
“Sure,” she said, but she had a strange feeling about the way he’d looked at his wife. Did he still have feelings for her? Should she be casually dating someone who still had feelings for his ex? Cecelia frowned at the thought then shook her head. She wouldn’t jump to conclusions. Besides, she and Brent weren’t serious. Even as she told herself that, she couldn’t fight a stab of discomfort, but she forced herself to focus on timing the games.
After all the games ended, Brent showed up. “Ready for some wings?” he asked.
“Sure,” she said and they walked toward the wing shack. “I think most of the kids had fun today. They laughed and smiled a lot.”
He nodded. “Yeah. My son had fun, too. That’s what’s most important. If it’s fun, they’ll keep doing it.”
“Too cold for you?” she asked because the temperatures had fallen.
“No. I’m used to it. When I left, I lived in Chicago,” he said, shoving his hands into his pockets.
“Not exactly warm weather,” she said.
“Nah,” he said then turned silent.
Her antennae went up and she stopped. “Listen, we don’t have to have wings if you’re not in the mood,” she said.
He turned and met her gaze. “I’m good with wings. Why do you ask?”
“Because you seem a little distracted,” she said.
Brent paused then sighed. “It’s my ex.”
She smiled. “Tell me about it. We’re friends.”
He sighed again. “It’s strange.”
“Life is strange,” she said.
He looked at her and cracked a half grin. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”
Several moments later, they got their dinner and sat on a bench even though it was a little too cold for sitting tonight. Cecelia nibbled on her wings. “So, talk to me.”
“After our son was born, I wanted to make a better living, but she was determined to stay here in Rust Creek Falls. She wants our son to be raised in a small town. She wouldn’t bend.”
“And you wouldn’t either,” she said.
“I wanted more for us. I knew I couldn’t make much here. I didn’t have a great future here.”
“It’s such a tough call once you have a child,” she said.
“It is,” he said. “I went away after we split, but I had a hard time getting back on weekends. It sucked. I made a bunch of money, but not enough to compensate for my time away. Lesson learned,” he said and ate his order of wings.
Cecelia went with her gut. “Do you want another chance with your ex?”
Brent nearly choked then looked at her. “What?”
“Do you want another chance with your ex? Honest?”
Brent sighed. “Maybe.”
Instinct screamed inside her. “If you want even half a chance, you need to go for it.”
“Why?” he demanded.
“You’ll regret it if you don’t.”
His eyes widened and he stopped eating. “Whoa, that’s pretty strong.”
“You have a child together,” she said. “You’re bothered by her new boyfriend. Very distracted. I think you’re still in love with her.”
He gave a half shrug. “I guess,” he said.
“You guess?” she mocked him, swatting his shoulder. “Don’t mess with me. And don’t mess with any other woman while you’re still wishing you and your wife were together. That would be cruel.”
He groaned and rubbed his hand over his face. “It’s a mess.”
She patted him on his shoulder. “Life is messy,” she said. “I hear love is, too, but I think you should go for it. If you won her once, maybe you can win her again.”
He met her gaze again. “I could be offended that you’re letting me go so easily,” he said.
“Maybe you chose wisely with your wife. And maybe you chose wisely with me as your friend,” she said.
He nodded slowly and grinned. “You’re a good woman. Whoever gets you is gonna be a lucky man,” he said and pulled her against him in a half hug.
Cecelia gave a short laugh, but hugged him in return. At this point, she wasn’t sure she would ever find her lucky man.
Brent walked her back to the rooming house and she climbed the steps toward her room. On the second flight, Nick called to her. “How’d your date go?”
She glanced up at him as he stood there in all his usual hotness. She was starting to hate him for his natural handsomeness. “Fine,” she said. “The wings were good.”
She turned to walk up the next flight and Nick grabbed her arm. “Wait a minute. Did he try to take advantage of you? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said. “He was great. He’s just not over his wife.”
Nick’s eyes widened. “Oh.”
“Yeah. I told him he needed to try to win her back,” she said.
“That’s kinda heavy,” he said.
She shrugged. “It needed to be said. I just knew it.”
He gazed at her. “That was a good thing for you to do. You’re a good woman.”
“Yeah,” she muttered. “That’s not getting me a guy.”
“It will,” he told her.
“Maybe,” she said. “There’s still Tim. I’m going out with him and I’m going to give it a good try.”
Nick hesitated then nodded. “Don’t try too hard.”
“What do you mean by that? You’ve been telling me to smile, wear slutty lipstick and a skirt.”
“Just don’t try too hard,” he repeated.
Cecelia groaned and sliced her hand through the air. “Go away. I either need to bake or watch something stupid on TV.”
“Bake,” he said.
“I’m too tired for baking,” she said and stomped up to her room. She slammed the door and turned on her television. At the moment, she hated men. Her dates weren’t working out and she was still having feelings for Nick that she did not want to have.
On Sunday morning, she got up late and ate a big breakfast. Nick had already eaten his. Cecelia chatted with Melba and her husband. Cecelia had a ton of choices for what she could do, but waffled on how to spend the day.
Nick walked into the kitchen and nodded toward her. “You mind working on the preschool this afternoon?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Might as well. Maybe we can knock most of it out today,” she said.
“That’s ambitious,” he said.
She chuckled. “I’m an ambitious woman.”
* * *
Later that day, Nick watched in admiration as Cecelia ripped out a cabinet and a floor. He’d never realized how strong she was. She even smiled as she did it.
“What are you?” he asked. “Demolition woman?”
She laughed. “It’s fun to destroy something that isn’t working to make it into something that will work so much better.” She stared at the subflooring. “Good news. The subflooring is in great condition. We can put anything on top of it.”
“Wood parquet was requested,” he said.
“Then let’s do it,” she said. “Play a game. I ask a question. You answer and I will, too. Then you ask a question. What’s your favorite color?”
“Blue,” he said.
“Blue, pink and red,” she said.
“Pink?” he echoed.
“Yeah,” she said. “I’m a girl. Pink is okay. What’s your question?”
“Favorite food ever?” he asked.
“Food or dessert?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Okay, both.”
“Filet mignon and crab cakes. Dessert, chocolate crème brûlée,” she said.
Nick shook his head. “Expensive tastes. I worry for your boyfriend,” he said.
“I’m worth it,” she said.
“Yeah,” he said. “Where’d you get that chocolate crème brûlée?”
“Thunder Canyon. It was a special at the Gallatin Room at the Thunder Canyon Resort one Christmas. Delicious,” she said.
“Who did you go with?” he asked.
She frowned, remembering the disastrous love affair. “Nobody,” she said. “Let’s work on this floor. What’s your favorite food?” she asked.
“Steak and anything you bake,” he said.
Hours later, they’d laid the parquet. “Good job,” Nick said. “We can take a break and finish the cabinets another time.”
“Will this interrupt the kids’ play time?” she asked, rubbing her back.
“Nope,” he said. “They don’t need the cabinets to play. The cabinets just make life easier for the teachers.”
“Okay,” she said, rising to her feet and wanting to get away from him. Being so close to him reminded her of his body. Cecelia knew that thinking about Nick’s body was a bad idea. She had avoided her attraction to him as long as she could. “Whew. I’m feeling this.”
“Me, too,” he said. “Wanna get something to eat?” he asked.
“Rain check,” she said, because she needed to get her head on straight. She was starting to feel way too attracted to Nick. “I’m beat and need to get up early tomorrow.
“Yeah, but you still need to eat,” he said.
“There are always sandwiches in Melba’s refrigerator,” she said. “I’m glad we knocked this out tonight. Maybe we can finish next weekend.”
“Yeah,” he said. “I’ll walk back with you.”
Cecelia wished he wouldn’t walk with her. She felt almost jittery from her response to him.
“So what do you think of Tim?” he asked.
“He’s a nice guy,” she said. “Like I told you, I’m going to try to give him another chance.”
“And Mr. Australia?” he asked as they strode toward the rooming house.
“I think he’s committed in Australia,” she said.
“Hmm,” he said.
They arrived at the rooming house and climbed to the porch then stepped inside.
“Hi,” Melba said. “How are you kids doing?”
“This kid is tired,” Cecelia said, but stopped outside the den. “What are you watching?”
“A new reality show,” she said.
“Tell me the results tomorrow,” Cecelia said and headed for the indoor stairs.
“Hey,” Nick said, following after her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said, determined to be so.
“What if Tim doesn’t work out?” he asked.
“Maybe I’ll find someone else,” she said. “Or maybe I’ll go somewhere else.”
She met his gaze and was surprised at the look in his eyes. He really didn’t want her to leave Rust Creek Falls. Her stomach jolted that he continued to tell her she was so important to him. Especially when he had no romantic interest in her.
Cecelia needed a break. From Nick. She was feeling things she didn’t want to feel. She knew he couldn’t be interested in her romantically, but she was thinking about him more and more, and it was interfering with her chances of starting a relationship with someone else. She had to stop it—for her own sake.