“PIZZA!” JANE ANNOUNCED when she and Tina walked back into the store.
Wes looked up from the baseboard he was painting. Both women nearly staggered beneath the weight of cardboard boxes and plastic sacks.
“Let me give you a hand with those cartons,” Jane’s husband, Pete, offered.
“Fine. But no hands on the food until we get everything on the table.”
Pete laughed.
When they all moved toward the back room, Wes followed. Reluctantly.
If he could have, he would have ditched this painting party, picked up the kids early from Rhea’s and headed home. But he had already committed to volunteering his help.
Not that he had a problem with the work or the conversation or the pizza brought in hot and fresh for their late lunch. No, what bothered him was the awkwardness earlier this morning, when he had been alone in the store with Cara. He’d given in to the urge to kiss her, which led to him running off at the mouth, letting his nerves make him even more of a fool.
He’d rather look a fool in front of her now than hurt her somewhere down the road. And he would, because he didn’t have it in him to give her what he knew she wanted. An invitation to stay.
Luckily, the work party had arrived to keep him from making matters worse.
Andi’s husband, Mitch, grabbed one of the pizza boxes. “I’m moving the male half of this party outside.”
Pete grabbed another carton, and they all loaded up on pop bottles.
As Wes headed outside with the rest of the men, he fought to keep from looking in Cara’s direction. Looking led to thoughts about other things.
Holding her, kissing her, had turned into pleasures he’d immediately regretted. He had since given himself warnings to keep his thoughts away from her, his hands off her and, most of all, his mouth nowhere near hers.
Outside, Mitch said to him, “Let’s settle in over there.” He gestured toward a low brick wall in a sunny corner.
A native of Cowboy Creek, Mitch was also a former LA cop. Until coming home and settling down to a job as a deputy sheriff, he had tended to be on the quiet side. Not anymore. Given the opportunity, he would talk all day long.
That worked for Wes. Conversation would keep his mind busy with something besides Cara, since he’d already lost the struggle to ignore his first warning.
Mitch set the pizza box between them. “Women,” he said, shaking his head, “they’re never happy unless they’re putting a man to work.”
“You didn’t seem unhappy about that this morning.”
Mitch laughed. “I wasn’t. I’m stretching the truth some.”
Exactly what Cara had accused him of that day at the cookout. Of course, she’d been right. The memory left him fighting a smile.
“Like half the people I pull over on radar patrol,” Mitch went on. “They can’t spin tales fast enough, trying to avoid a ticket. You’d be surprised at some of the excuses I hear. And these are from locals, who ought to know I can see right through their stories. The problem is, they don’t stop first to think.”
“Yeah,” Wes agreed. “Running off at the mouth can get you into trouble.”
The way he had done with Cara earlier. Nothing to smile about there.
“I’ll be glad when that detour sends traffic onto Canyon Road,” Mitch continued. “Maybe I’ll get some fresh stories from the tourists passing through. Though I hope for Andi’s sake they don’t just pass through. She’s already stressing over how she’s going to handle everything. Good thing she’s got Cara here to help.”
Yeah, but for how long? And why did that matter to him? He was doing just...
He took a gigantic bite of pizza, saving himself from having to respond to Mitch. He was fine. He was happy. And so were the kids. That’s what mattered. As for Cara...
I never thought I’d feel this happy again this soon.
He sent himself yet another stern warning, one he’d stick to this time.
He’d done everything he could to make Patty happy, and all his efforts hadn’t changed a thing. He wasn’t trying that again. Better to let Cara go and force himself to forget her.
CARA STOOD BESIDE Wes on the sidewalk in front of the store.
He hadn’t once spoken to her or even made eye contact with her all afternoon. They had both kept so busy, he hadn’t had the chance. Or so she wanted to believe.
Now, for the first time since the painting party had begun, the first time since they had shared that kiss, she was alone with him.
“Brr-r-r! It’s chilly out here.” She put her fists into her jacket pockets but couldn’t blame her trembling hands on the weather. She hoped her smile didn’t look just as unsteady. “It was warm enough inside. I didn’t realize the temperature had dropped.”
The sun had fallen, too. A streetlamp a few yards behind him left his face shadowed.
They had all stayed late to finish the job. Andi and Mitch were checking doors and windows before they locked up for the night.
Jane and Tina and their husbands had carpooled into town. As they climbed into Pete’s truck, he tapped the horn. She and Wes waved them on their way.
“I know Andi’s relieved we were able to get the entire store done this weekend.” Cara paused, but he said nothing. “We want the paint to dry completely before I start setting up the display room this week.” Another pause. More silence. “Thanks again for today. Having the extra help made the work go faster.”
He shoved his hands into his back pockets.
She tried for another smile. “I could use some extra help myself right now. It’s not easy carrying on a one-sided conversation, especially when the other person is standing right in front of you.”
“Sorry. I was thinking about the kids. They were restless yesterday, probably from not sleeping well the night before, after their big day at Rhea’s.” He studied his watch. “When I dropped them off I didn’t know what time I’d pick them up again. She said not to rush, but I didn’t expect to be this late.” He took a step away. “I should head over there.”
And obviously, he felt the need to escape from here.
Or from her?
“Sure,” she said as brightly as she could. “And I’ll get them from Rhea’s tomorrow afternoon, as usual.”
He opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Her heart sank. Had he changed his mind about her picking up the kids? “I’ll be coming by anyhow,” she added. “I still need to finish the rest of the inventory for Andi.” It wasn’t a lie. She and Andi had boxed up most of the clothes from the closet, but they hadn’t gotten to it all.
How could she have managed to squeeze that job in? During her last few evenings at Wes’s ranch, she had spent her time helping him with dinner, then eating with him and the kids before cuddling on the couch with Mark and Tracey. Why would she pass up the chance to be with them just to work alone upstairs?
To her relief, Wes nodded.
I knew you would make a difference with Wes, Andi had told her.
That’s what counted.
Andi and Mitch joined them on the sidewalk.
Andi turned to Wes. “Paz and Grandpa are watching the kids. Since we knew we’d be working late, we’re all going over to SugarPie’s. You’ll come too, won’t you?”
“Yeah,” Mitch said. “It’s been a long time since that pizza for lunch.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got work to do back at the house,” Wes said.
“There’s always going to be work to do. Ease up, man. Take the night off. Besides, you’ve got to eat.”
“I guess I do. Let me check on my kids.”
“Sounds good.” Mitch walked off hand in hand with Andi.
As Cara hesitated, Wes pulled his cell phone from his pocket.
“See you over there,” she said. In fact, I’ll save you a seat.
THE PARKING LOT at SugarPie’s was as crowded as Cara had ever seen it. She found an open slot halfway down the length of the lot, between two giant pickup trucks. After finally wedging her car between them, she nearly had to slide sideways to get through the driver’s door.
By that time, someone across the lot from her had pulled out, leaving a gaping space. “Thanks a lot.”
A second later, Wes pulled his truck into the opening and she gave genuine thanks.
The lot was well lit closer to the front of SugarPie’s, but here a row of bushes blocked some of the light. Except for a lone bulb over the bakery’s side exit, the area this far back was shadowy. Quiet. Almost romantic.
Too bad the cowboy walking toward her didn’t have romance with her on his mind.
She glanced at his truck. “You didn’t bring the kids?”
“No. I figured since no one else was bringing theirs, I’d leave them at Rhea’s. She already fed them supper, and they’re in the middle of watching a cartoon video.”
“No story time?” The past couple of nights, had Mark and Tracey missed having her read to them from Mark’s storybooks?
A car door slammed, startling enough in the quiet to make them both jump. The noise had come from somewhere at the far end of the parking lot.
“No, wait!” a female voice cried. “We need to talk!”
Lizzie.
Wes either recognized her, too, or reacted instinctively to her obvious distress. He strode toward the back of the lot. Cara followed on his heels.
“I’m tired of talking.” Another voice rang out, deep and edged with frustration, followed by the sound of a thump.
Past Wes, she could see a tall male she guessed was Kyle standing with his back to them, half blocking their view of Lizzie.
Wes called her name.
The boy spun to face them.
“Take it easy, Kyle. It’s me, Wes Daniels.”
Kyle squinted against the lights from the street. “Hey, Wes. I couldn’t see who you were at first. There’s nothing to take easy. We were just talking.”
“Is that so?” Wes said, his voice even. “Sounded to me like you were refusing to do just that.”
Cara took a step sideways to walk around him.
“You okay, Lizzie?” Wes asked. Cara’s eyes stung. She had opened her mouth to ask the same thing. Again, Wes had gotten there first, his concern for Lizzie obvious, from his half step toward her to his question and even to his lowered voice—clearly aimed at keeping this conversation private.
“I’m okay,” Lizzie said. “Kyle’s telling the truth. We were just talking...well, arguing, and I guess we both got upset.”
Wes nodded. “Lizzie, I don’t want to add to your upset, but I need to tell you something. This morning, I overheard your conversation with Cara at the store. Didn’t mean to, but I was in the back room. Sorry.”
She shrugged. “Everybody’s going to know sooner or later.”
Even in the dim light Cara could see the tears sparkling in Lizzie’s eyes. Brushing past Wes, Cara went to put a reassuring arm around her.
He turned to Kyle and rested his hand on the teen’s shoulder as if to calm him. This close, she could now see Kyle looked scared, and he was as wide-eyed as Lizzie.
“Look, Kyle,” Wes said, his voice still low and level, “I know this is all a shock and you’re going to need time to take it in. The bottom line is, you need to man up.”
Man up. Just what Wes would do. Just what the man she had always wanted would do, too.
“That’s not saying you have to make decisions tonight,” Wes continued. “But Lizzie’s not in this all on her own. You follow me?”
When Kyle nodded, Wes took his hand from the teen’s shoulder. “Have you talked to your folks?”
“No.”
“Me, neither,” Lizzie said. “I was going to, but my mom and dad went out. They’ll be home soon.”
“Good,” Wes said. “First, the two of you need to sit down and talk—calmly—about your options. Then get together with your families to talk everything over with them. Because no matter what you decide, you’re going to need help from your folks. And from each other, if you’re going to be parents. It’s not easy raising a child, even when there are two of you. Take it from me, it can be much harder when you’re on your own.”
Tears stung Cara’s eyes again. If she had managed to hold on to any piece of her heart until this point, she now lost it all. Since she’d met him, Wes had insisted to everyone that his life was fine. He refused to admit his struggles to anyone. Yet he’d done just that to help Lizzie and Kyle.
Yes, so like the man she wanted. The man she already loved.
As the teens returned to their car, Cara stepped to the edge of the lot. Wes joined her. They waited until Kyle pulled out of the space and drove away.
“You okay?” Wes asked.
For a moment, she couldn’t find her voice. “Yes,” she said finally. “I just...” She needed to share her whirling thoughts with him. “Seeing Lizzie so upset made me think of things I’ve been trying to forget. I’ve been in the same place. Pregnant, I mean.”
She didn’t expect a response, but he said immediately, “Being upset’s understandable. It’s not an easy place for anybody to be. And it must have been hard for you, too, only a kid—”
“No, that’s just it, I wasn’t a teenager. It didn’t happen that long ago, which is why Lizzie’s situation hit so close to home.”
His eyes widened but this time he didn’t respond.
“I told you about Brad,” she said in a low voice, rushing to fill the silence. “We weren’t officially engaged yet but that was the plan. If it hadn’t been, I would have taken precautions to keep from getting pregnant.”
Wanting Wes to know what had happened was one thing. Saying it to him was another. She took a steadying breath. “Brad reacted the way Kyle first did. Once he found out I was pregnant, he didn’t want to know anything. Only unlike Kyle, he never changed his mind. So I left him. A few weeks later I l-lost the baby.”
Wes muttered under his breath, then reached for her. When she stepped closer, he wrapped his arms around her. She rested her cheek against the front of his jacket.
“If I could take away your pain, I would.” His voice sounded gravelly. She could almost feel the rumble in his chest. “That’s why you wanted to avoid the office closet.”
His immediate understanding brought her to tears. He hadn’t made it a question, but, unable to trust her voice, she nodded her reply. The rough wool of his jacket tickled her skin. She lifted her head to see his face.
His eyes shone in the darkness, twin reflections of the lights from the street. He tightened his arms around her just a fraction. Just enough to let her know he was going to kiss her. He lowered his head and touched his forehead to hers.
She held her breath, waiting.
He waited, too, as if letting anticipation build between them. Seconds later he released her and almost stumbled back.
The cool night air rushed at her, chasing away the warmth of his embrace. She wrapped her arms around her middle, hoping to fight her chill. She failed as miserably as when she’d tried using the same position to ease the pain of her loss.
“Sorry.” He held both palms out in a hands-off gesture, then shook his head. “Seems like I’ve done nothing but say that today. To you, to Lizzie, now to you again.”
“You said a lot more than that when you talked to Lizzie and Kyle. You helped them both.”
“I hope so. But I’m not helping you—” He waved one hand, indicating her crossed arms, the small space between them he had so recently filled, the kiss he had been about to give her. “I swear, that won’t happen again.”
“Why not? What if we want that—and more—to happen? I do. Because something already happened between us. I’ve been denying it, making up reasons not to believe it, but the truth is, something wonderful happened this morning when you kissed me. I think you know that, too.”
She touched his arm, expecting some of his warmth to return to her, hoping he would move closer again.
Instead, he took another step back, putting him out of her reach. “You’re a special woman, Cara, and any man would be lucky to have something wonderful with you. I’ll admit you may not be the only one denying things. But neither of us ought to take a risk on the off chance of something that turns out to be not enough. Right now, tonight, the only truth I know is whatever this might have been, I can’t let it happen again.”
He glanced toward his truck. “It’s getting late. Probably best I get the kids and take them home. I told you they’ve been acting up, and throwing them off their schedule won’t help.”
Throwing her off-kilter certainly hadn’t helped her. But that was what he’d done, from the day she’d met him.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said evenly. “After I pick up the kids.”
She’d expected an argument. Instead, he nodded. He strode the short distance to his truck and hauled himself into the driver’s seat as if he couldn’t get away fast enough.
She watched him leave the parking lot and drive down Canyon Road. Taillights blinked at her as the truck hit the street’s tiny dips and valleys.
Or maybe her eyes had blurred from the moisture suddenly filling them. Tears once again. This time, of frustration.