He parked and then shut down the engines.
She unbuckled from her seat. “It didn’t take us long to get here.”
“That’s because we talked most of the way.” And joked and laughed. He liked how she didn’t hold back with the town of Berry Lake’s belief and use of Bigfoot to drive tourism. He might agree with her, but playing devil’s advocate was more fun. Enjoying teasing her, he’d taken on the role of a Sasquatch believer.
“Well, you were right. Flying sure beats driving.” She tucked several strands of hair behind her ears, scratched the back of her neck, and then wiped her hands over her pants. “What now?”
Her words broke the spell he’d been under watching her. “I have a couple of things to do if you want to move into the cabin.”
“Sure.” As she climbed out of her seat, he forced himself not to stare. “I’ll get out of your way.”
Another whiff of strawberry filled the air. He inhaled even though her scent was seared into his brain. Forget huckleberries—what Berry Lake was known for. Strawberries were his new favorite. When he smelled or ate one in the future, he had a feeling Hope Ryan would come to mind.
A few minutes later, Josh joined her in the cabin and picked up the box. “Did you hear from your friends?”
“Cami and Dan are at the hotel waiting for us.” Hope held her cell. “I have the directions on my phone.”
He motioned to the door. “Lead the way.”
Yesterday, Hope had reminded him of Jenny, but the two women, both creative types, were more different than alike. Jenny had a quiet personality; Hope was more outgoing and didn’t hesitate to ask questions or joke around. Jenny had been shy since elementary school, while Hope seemed subdued as if holding herself back.
That intrigued him.
So did her having an ex-husband.
A failed marriage might explain why she didn’t date or believe in happily ever after. Josh hoped that wouldn’t always be the case for her.
“We have to pick up the rental car I reserved,” he said. “And then we’ll be on our way.”
As Josh drove into downtown Nashville, the robotic voice on Hope’s phone kept them from getting lost. He parked at the front of the hotel where a man and woman in their late forties waved to them.
Hope leaned forward. “That’s Cami and Dan.”
The two wore shorts and T-shirts, but the dark circles under their eyes and pale faces suggested how difficult the past week had been for them.
Hope inhaled. “They look so sad.”
“I’m sure you’ll have them smiling in no time.” She had that effect on him. Josh imagined she would on these two also.
She hurried out of the car, immediately hugging Cami. The woman gushed over her outfit and how sweet it was for Hope to travel all this way for the painting.
Introductions were made. The couple was friendly. They adored Hope as an artist and as a person also, given their praise. Josh felt as if he’d known them for years, not minutes, and understood Hope’s desire to help them.
Dan retrieved the painting from the valet. It was wrapped up with two large foam sheets on either side. “I watched that video on how to package art.”
Hope took the painting from him. “Looks perfect.”
“He worked hard on that.” Cami took a breath and then another. “I’m sorry your other four paintings were destroyed.”
Hurt flashed across Hope’s expression but then disappeared. If Josh hadn’t been focused on her face, he wouldn’t have noticed.
Cami wiped her eyes. “I don’t know what you can do with this one—”
“I’ll do everything I can.” Hope’s voice was strong, yet full of compassion. Her name fit her perfectly at that moment, as she gave hope to Cami. “I’ve been in touch with two restoration services and the museum where I interned. I promise to do my best, but if I feel someone else can do a better job, I will let you know.”
Josh’s respect for her doubled. Not for her promise, but for her kindness toward this couple who had lost everything. Her selflessness impressed him, too. She had to be feeling a loss over those four paintings, but her concern had been only for Cami and Dan.
Josh had been wrong about Hope. He’d misjudged her, which made him feel like a bigger jerk. Even if she’d driven to Nashville and been exhausted, nothing would have stopped her from giving her all at Jenny and Dare’s wedding. Hope had tried to tell him and Caroline that, but neither had listened. He owed Hope an apology.
“Thanks. We know you will, which is why we wanted to give the painting to you first.” Emotion filled Cami’s voice. “Take your time. There’s no rush on this.”
“We won’t be back in the house for months.”
A choked sob came from Cami. Dan put his arm around his wife, who sank into him as if exhausted. He stared at her like they were the only two people there. The love passing between them was palpable. It stole Josh’s breath. He felt as though he were trespassing during an intimate moment, but he couldn’t force his gaze away.
No woman had ever looked at him with so much love. A woman had never needed Josh to hold her and assure her everything would be okay. He’d never had a woman comfort him when everything was going wrong.
I want that.
I wish I had that now.
What would his life be like if he’d been in a loving relationship when he’d been injured? If he hadn’t come out of that first surgery to find only his parents waiting by his bedside? If the love of his life had been holding his hand at night in the hospital instead of his brother or sister?
Not that he didn’t need his family. He did. But would he have found the solace he’d needed through love instead of escaping into a haze of drunkenness? A woman like Hope would have the strength and compassion to see the man she loved through anything.
Unfortunately, he would have never looked twice at her until now. Before, he’d only dated models, actresses, singers, and other professional athletes. He’d wanted someone in his life who was well-known, who would be an asset to his career. It was why he’d asked out Jenny.
That was the kind of woman he thought would fit him and the life he’d wanted best. How wrong he’d been…
Hope held the box between her feet.
Josh hurried over to help her. He steadied the box. “This might make it easier.”
She slid the painting inside with no problems. “Thanks.”
“We make a good team.” With that, he put the box carefully in the trunk.
“It’s been a while since I’ve used oil paints. I’ll need to practice first,” she said to Cami and Dan. “I don’t want to make any mistakes.”
“We trust you,” Dan said.
Hope smiled. “Thank you.”
Cami hugged Hope. “If you start painting again, please let us know. We’d love to rebuild our collection with your works.”
Hope didn’t say anything, but Josh was confused. He’d seen the seascape panels hanging on the walls of the multipurpose room. She’d made Jenny and Dare’s wedding favors. That meant Hope was still painting. Maybe he misunderstood what Cami meant.
“Thanks for bringing Hope to Nashville.” Dan shook Josh’s hand. “I miss seeing you throw the ball and scramble for those touchdowns.”
Dan hadn’t given any indication of recognizing Josh before, but he had, which meant he knew about this past year. Had Dan mentioned anything to Hope? If not, he probably would since they were friends.
Josh pulled at his collar. “Those were the days.”
“Though I like hearing your game commentary. You’re one of the best announcers out there. Someday you might be better known for that than being a quarterback.”
“Thanks.” Josh appreciated the kind words, though he’d been a better quarterback than he was a commentator. “I’m looking forward to the upcoming season.”
From the hotel, Josh drove to the barbeque restaurant. “Ready to buy me lunch?”
“All set.” Hope patted her purse. “Order whatever you’d lik
e.”
“That could be dangerous.”
“For my wallet, maybe, but I don’t mind.” She laughed, a sweet sound he wanted to hear again. “I brought my debit and credit cards with me.”
As they walked inside, Josh placed his hand on Hope’s back. She glanced over her shoulder at him with a soft smile. Guess touching her was okay. That pleased him.
A hostess seated them in a booth with red vinyl-covered benches and a wooden table with names and initials carved in the top. “Our family-style meals are the most popular. Your server will be with you shortly. Enjoy your barbeque.
Hope studied the menu. “Everything looks delicious.”
“It is. The family style is the way to go if you want to try a variety of items.”
“I do, so I’ll let you order.” She lowered her menu to the table. “I’m not picky, and I have no food restrictions.”
“Except bananas.”
She nodded. “Oh, and anchovies.”
“I’m sure we can work around those two,” he joked.
“Josh Cooper.” Their server, a man in his mid-twenties dressed in jeans and a red gingham shirt, bounded up with a huge grin on his face. “Man, it’s been a long time since you were here. Too long.”
“Hey, Russ.” Josh shook hands with the restaurant owner’s son. “I haven’t made it back to town until now. I wanted my friend Hope to taste the best barbeque in Tennessee.”
“You mean the entire South.”
“Isn’t that what I said?” Josh asked with a wink.
Russ’s gaze turned serious. “Heard what happened last year. You doing better?”
“It’s all good now.” That wasn’t the entire truth, but things were on the upswing. Josh pointedly eyed Hope to stop Russ from saying anymore. “What would you like to drink?”
“Strawberry lemonade.”
“Make that two,” he said to Russ.
“Coming right up.” Russ shook his head. “Dad will be upset he missed you.”
“I’ll be back if we’re scheduled for a game here.”
“That might take away some of the sting,” Russ said. “You’re one of his favorite players.”
With that, Russ turned to go put in their drink orders.
Hope studied Josh as if he were a rare lab specimen. “People recognize you when you go out.”
Her statement didn’t surprise him or put him off. “Football fans sometimes do. It started in college when we won a bowl game. After I was drafted in the first round, things got crazier.”
“I’m assuming first round means you’re good.”
“I was.” All-pro, MVP, offensive player of the year—the accolades and awards streamed through his brain. “Until I was tackled during a game and broke my leg. I had a few surgeries, but it was clear I would never again play the way I did, so I retired.”
Those brief sentences didn’t come close to what he’d gone through while on pain medication, trying to get through the day. No one would talk about his future in football, even though it had been all he wanted to know. Waiting to find out his prognosis had been agonizing.
“Not being able to play any longer hit me hard. Decimated me. I was a football player, a quarterback, then suddenly I wasn’t anymore. I didn’t know who I was without the game.” The words came from deep inside him. He wasn’t sure why they’d picked now to appear. He would have preferred they remained buried.
“I’m sorry.” She reached across the table, sliding her hand into his. Heat flowed from her to him. Comfort, too. He got a glimpse of what Cami and Dan must feel. That only made Josh want it more.
“Having what you love to do ripped away from you feels like a part of you has died.” Hope’s words came out fast. “As you said, you don’t know who you are with that gone, and you’re left to figure it out when pieces of your heart are missing.”
“Exactly.” So-called friends had told Josh to stop complaining because he had enough money to never work again, but football had been his life. Without the game, he was nothing. Each day had gotten harder. Only one thing had dulled that emptiness and bitterness—alcohol.
“I was living in a nightmare that wouldn’t end,” he admitted.
Nodding, she squeezed his hand. “You want to wake up, but you are awake. Nothing you do feels like it will change anything. You’re out of control, and the future looks bleak.”
“It was so frustrating.”
“An effort in futility,” she agreed.
Josh had never connected with someone as fast as he had with Hope. Her understanding hadn’t just come to her. Either she’d had a similar experience or known someone who had. He wanted to know which one.
Dare he ask?
They were getting to know each other, and he didn’t want her to retreat. That might happen if he pushed her too hard. Yet, he couldn’t deny something drew them together. He glanced at their linked hands. Maybe this would bring them closer.
“Did something like that happen to you?” he asked.
CHAPTER EIGHT
As Josh’s question swirled through Hope’s mind, her muscles tensed. She pulled her arm back because her fingers trembled when she was stressed. That was the only way to describe how she felt at the moment.
“If you don’t want to answer, that’s fine,” Josh said. “But I haven’t met many people who’ve been through something similar.”
“I understand.” And she did. “This isn’t a big secret. Most people in Indigo Bay know, but talking about it…”
“Is hard,” he finished for her.
Oh so hard. But if she didn’t tell Josh, an internet search or someone in town would. She wanted him to know her side of the story—the truth.
Besides, he’d been through this himself. Not the same situation but close enough. He wouldn’t judge her as others had.
Ignoring her tense body, she made herself sit taller. “Since my divorce, I haven’t painted any works like the one we picked up today. I’ve tried, gone to counseling, tried again. But the canvas remains blank no matter what I do.”
Realization dawned on his face. “That’s what Cami meant about you painting.”
Hope hadn’t known if Josh had heard that or not. Guess so.
She nodded. “It’s been two years.”
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“It is what it is.” She’d accepted not being able to paint as she once had. That was the only way to keep from being consumed by bitterness over Adam’s betrayal. “Fortunately, I’m able to paint in different ways from before and still earn a living selling those pieces.”
“You figured a way to keep your passion for art alive and a part of your life.” His gaze—full of understanding—met hers. “That’s why I took the broadcaster job.”
She never thought they’d have so much in common. “I have, but…”
“What?”
A stone settled in her stomach. “I’m scared I won’t be able to repair the painting, but I have to try, even if I disappoint Cami and Dan.”
“You’ll do it.” His conviction surprised her. “Cami and Dan believe in you. So do I.”
Hope appreciated his words—needed them—but she had to ask. “We hardly know each other. Why are you so certain I can do this?”
“You want to help others. That’s why you’re here today. To do what you can for Cami and Dan. Restoring their piece might be what you need to heal from whatever is keeping you from painting. A spark will ignite that passion again.”
If only… “I would love that, but I’ve been disappointed before. I’m not holding my breath.”
“Well, if you were holding your breath, you’d turn blue or pass out. It’s good you aren’t.”
That made her smile. Hope liked how she and Josh could talk about serious things, yet he’d add a dash of humor to keep things from getting too heavy.
Russ delivered their strawberry lemonades and two straws. “Did you know what you want to eat?”
“The Junior Platter for two,” Josh said.
Russ picked up the menus. “Excellent choice. I’ll get your order right in.”
“Thanks.” As soon as Russ was gone, Josh leaned forward, his gaze intent on her. “Full disclosure, I’m ready to go into busybody listening mode if you feel like telling me what happened with your divorce.”
A few people had tried to get her to share juicy details others didn’t know, but Hope found his honesty refreshing.
She unwrapped her straw, then stuck it in her glass. “Adam Darby, my ex-husband, is well-known in the art world. I met him at an exhibit when I was twenty-two. He became my manager and then my boyfriend. Three months later, we married. His connections gave me opportunities most artists only dream about. It helped that people liked my work, but I can’t deny the role Adam played in my success.”
As Josh sipped his drink, Hope tore the straw wrapper into tiny pieces.
“We’d been married for four years when the biggest show of my career was coming up. Some pieces were at the gallery, but most were still in my studio at our loft. Adam had set up an interview for me. During it, I talked about being married to my manager and wanting to have kids. The day after the interview went live, another artist he represented came to see me. She arrived at my door in tears, saying Adam had told her we were getting a divorce. That he was going to marry her. Turns out they’d been having an affair for months. The news blindsided me. I’d been working so hard on the show I had no idea.”
Josh rubbed his chin. “I can’t imagine the shock.”
“I was hurt and numb at the same time. I wish I could say I instantly knew what I would do, but I’d be lying. I loved him. I truly believed he loved me.”
With a trembling hand, Hope raised her glass and sipped.
Josh slid out of his side of the booth, scooted next to Hope, and placed his arm around her. “Since you are busy destroying the straw wrapper, I can’t hold your hand like you did mine. I figured this was the next best way to comfort you.”
“Works for me.” His strong, warm body made her feel safe. “That night, I confronted Adam at our loft. I was angry, but he was perfectly calm. I guess he’d been expecting a confrontation and was ready. He blamed me for his affair—said I wasn’t giving him the attention he needed. He told me he forgave me for ignoring him, and he wanted to make our marriage work. He thought attending couple’s counseling would help us move forward.”
Sweet Beginnings Page 7
