Small Town Boss

by Cheryl Michaels

  Touching Claudia’s shoulder gently as she stepped up beside her, her mother said, “Of course you will. That’s all you’ve ever wanted to do since you were a little girl.”

  “There’s an opportunity for me to teach in Landon.” She hadn’t even realized she’d been seriously considering that offer until she heard it aloud.

  “Oh? You’ve looked into it?”

  “I heard about it through a few friends.”

  “Then you have made friends there? I’m not surprised. You always did make friends so easily.”

  “I’d miss my friends here… if I moved there.”

  “But if you stayed here, you’d miss Brady.”

  “True.”

  Her mother gripped Claudia’s shoulders, turning her to face her. “We’re always going to be here for you, you know that, don’t you? Your friends, me, your dad, your grandparents. We’re not going anywhere. Anytime you want to come visit us, just hop in your car.”

  “Truck.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Brady gave me a truck. Actually, it was his brother’s truck. Chase gave it to him, but he didn’t need it and I did. So he gave it to me.”

  “He gave you a truck?” Her lips twisted in a wry smile. “Hmm, back in my day, a man used to give the woman he wanted to marry a ring. Times have changed.”

  The M word ratcheted up Claudia’s anxiety a few more notches. “We haven’t… I mean, we’re not… that is, I’m not sure if I can marry him.”

  Her mother sat on a small bench seat built into the bay window, patting the seat cushion beside her until Claudia sat down too. “What are you afraid of?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?” Her fears may seem illogical, but that didn’t make them any less real. “I had it all once, and it was taken away from me. What if that happens again?” Before her mother could respond, she said, “It may not happen in the same way, but it could happen. What if I do marry Brady, we have a couple of kids, and he decides he’s not cut out to be a family man? He could leave us. He could fight me for custody and take my babies…” She dropped her face in her hands as she imagined that scenario playing out.

  “Oh, honey.” Settling her arm around her daughter’s shoulders, Susan said, “You can’t go through life imagining the worst-case scenario. You know that’s not you. Before this happened, you were the most positive person I knew. Please don’t let that horrible accident steal your spirit.”

  Could she really afford to go through life wearing rose-colored glasses after being knocked to her knees once already? “I can’t help but consider all the possibilities. There are no guarantees in this life. No one knows that better than I do.”

  “You’re right.” Her mother nodded. “Your father could pick up and leave me tomorrow. He could fall for that cute little twenty-something waitress who serves him at the diner. She’s always smiling and winking at him. At first, I thought she was just being friendly, you know, trying to get a bigger tip. But now I’m not so sure. Maybe he’s tired of me. Thirty-five years of marriage, maybe he’s on his way out.” Looking horrified, she asked, “Ugh, what am I going to do? I know, I’ll leave him before he can leave me.” She jumped up. “That’s what I’ll do. I’ll go home and pack and—”

  Claudia bust out laughing, realizing that she had sounded as absurd as her mother did now. “Okay, I get your point. I should give Brady the benefit of the doubt and assume that when he says he loves me and wants to build a life with me, he means it?”

  Susan crouched in front of her daughter, gripping her knees. “The way I see it, you have two choices. You could go through life being scared and distrustful, fearing the worst. Or you could embrace the possibility of a new love and be grateful that you found another incredible man who loves you and wants to make you happy.”

  Claudia leaned in to kiss her mother’s cheek. “You’re right, Mom. Thank you.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Brady was at his brother’s house, trying to make small talk with their guests while his mind kept wandering to Claudia. He wanted her there with him, but he had no way of knowing whether that would ever happen.

  They’d had a few brief phone conservations in the two weeks since he’d left her in Brockville, but he still didn’t know what her plans were. She’d told him that she’d sold and packed up her house, gone to look at condos, had lunch with her former boss, and caught up with old friends. But the real question went unanswered… Are you coming back to me?

  “Hey,” Chase said, slapping him on the back. “You okay?”

  “Yeah, sure. Great party.”

  Chase and Shay were hosting a birthday party for Nick, who’d just turned fifteen. They’d invited some of his friends from Brockville as well as friends he’d made in Landon, his adoptive mother, stepfather, and grandparents. Brady was doing his best to play the dutiful uncle, but it wasn’t easy when his mind was somewhere else… with someone else.

  “Nick seems to be having a good time,” Brady said, trying to get his head back in the game.

  “Yeah, he does. But it’s not Nick I’m worried about right now,” Chase said, reaching for a couple of the appetizers Shay had prepared. “It’s you.”

  “Don’t waste your time worrying about me, man. I’m fine.”

  “Liar.”

  Brady shook his head with a smirk. Only his older brother still called him out for lying. “Fine, I’m not okay. Happy now?”

  “No, I’m not happy. And I won’t be until I know you are.”

  “Man, I’m serious. You can’t worry about me. You’ve got everything you’ve ever wanted,” he said, gesturing to Shay and Nick, who stood in two separate groups by the pool. “Just be grateful, okay?”

  “Have you heard from her?”

  Trying to play dumb was pointless. There was only one person Chase could be talking about. “Yeah, sure. We’ve kept in touch. She’s good.”

  “Has she told you what her plans are?”

  “Nope.” Brady grabbed a handful of peanuts and popped one after another into his mouth.

  “Have you asked her?”

  “Nope.”

  “Why not?”

  Because I’m scared! “I’m sure she’ll tell me when she’s ready. In the meantime, I don’t want to put any pressure on her.”

  “Big mistake,” Chase said, shaking his head.

  “Why is that a mistake?” Brady asked, glaring at him.

  “She’s probably questioning whether you even want her back.”

  “Don’t be stupid. Of course I want her back.”

  “Oh, so you’ve told her that?” Chase quirked an eyebrow. When Brady frowned, he said, “That’s what I thought. You’re so clueless sometimes, little brother. Do you expect the girl to read your mind? If you want her back, you’ve got to tell her how you feel.”

  “Don’t lecture me,” Brady said, suddenly feeling defensive… and kind of foolish. “You’ve loved Shay all your life and look at all the years you lost because you were too stubborn to—”

  “My point exactly.” Chase tipped back his can. “I don’t want to see you make the same mistakes I’ve made.”

  “Yeah, but this is different. Given what Claudia’s been through, I can’t put any pressure on her. I’ve got to let her come to me when, and if, she’s ready.”

  Chase grinned, inclining his head. “I’d say she’s ready.”

  Brady turned and spotted Claudia standing by the door. He was sure his eyes bugged out as he asked Chase, “Why didn’t you tell me she was coming?”

  “I wanted it to be a surprise.”

  “You’re the worst,” Brady muttered. “You knew I was going out of my mind missing her. You couldn’t have told me that—”

  “Would you quit your whining and get over there?”

  “Right.”

  Brady weaved through the crowd, smiling politely as he muttered “Excuse me,” every few seconds.

  When he finally reached her, Claudia smiled sweetly and said, “Hi.”

  “Hi your
self.” He dragged her into his arms and could have sworn her heart was beating as fast as his. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

  “Chase suggested I surprise you.” She grinned, curling her hands around his biceps as she tipped her head back to look at him. “Are you surprised?”

  “I’m blown away.” He kissed her without thinking about whether that was even appropriate. For all he knew, she was there to say her final good-byes face-to-face. “Sorry,” he whispered, resting his forehead against hers. “Couldn’t help myself.”

  “You don’t ever have to apologize for kissing me.”

  That made him feel better, but he still had a million questions. Unfortunately, he knew this wasn’t the place to ask them. Shay and Ainsley approached them. The women hugged, and he listened with half an ear as they discussed Shay’s wedding plans.

  “Thank you so much for coming,” Shay said. “I’m so glad you’re still going to be able to make the cake.”

  “Cake?” Brady asked, hoping this could give him some insight into Claudia’s plans. “What cake?”

  “It’s technically not a cake,” Shay said. “It’s a cupcake tower. For the wedding.”

  “You’re going to be here for the wedding?” Brady realized he must have sounded more surprised than excited when Claudia’s smile slipped as she glanced at her new friends.

  “Uh, I’d like to be. Unless that’s a problem?”

  “Of course it’s not a problem,” Shay said, subtly elbowing her future brother-in-law in the ribs. “Our wedding day wouldn’t be the same if you weren’t here to share it with us.”

  “That’s sweet of you to say,” Claudia said, blushing. “But you and Chase have waited your whole lives to make this official. I have a feeling you won’t even notice who is or isn’t there.”

  “That’s not true,” Shay argued, reaching for Claudia’s hands. “Friends and family mean everything to us. You’re our friend. Brady is family. You guys have to be there.”

  Since Brady had already agreed to be his brother’s best man, there was no question he would be there, but he was relieved to hear Claudia would be too. “Uh, you mind if we slip inside for a few minutes?” Brady asked Shay. “I’d like to talk to Claudia alone.”

  “Of course,” Shay said, smiling. “Take all the time you need. You can use the guest room if you like. There might be people wandering in and out of the kitchen on their way to the powder room.”

  “Thanks.” Brady took Claudia’s hand. When they were far enough away from the crowd to avoid being overheard, he said, “Sorry, I hope you don’t think I was being rude. I just couldn’t wait another second to get you alone.”

  “Is that so?” she asked, leaning into him as she wrapped her arm around his. “What have you got planned for me?”

  Her mood seemed light and playful now that they were alone, but Brady wouldn’t be able to exhale until he heard her say she was staying with him… where she belonged.

  After slipping into the guest bedroom, he closed the door and window, shutting out the noise from below. “Okay, so tell me what’s going on with you?” He sounded harsh, but his nerves were shot. He had to know, once and for all, where they stood.

  Looking amused, she sat on the white upholstered bench at the end of the queen-size bed. “What do you want to know?”

  “Everything.” He paced by the window. “I want to know what you’re thinking, what you’ve decided, whether you plan to stay in Brockville or come back here or—”

  “Brady,” she said gently, “let me tell you about what’s been happening with me the past few weeks.”

  It was obvious to Claudia how much her indecision had hurt Brady, and that was the last thing she’d ever wanted to do. The separation was necessary for her to make sense of her feelings for him though.

  “Okay,” he said, sitting in a chair that was tucked into the corner of the room. “I’m listening. Tell me. What’s been happening with you?”

  “Well, you know I sold the house.”

  He nodded, swallowing repeatedly as he waited for her to continue.

  “I didn’t just pack up everything we owned,” she said, thinking back to the time she’d spent in the house, reliving every memory attached to the things they’d collected as a family. “I cataloged it.” She tapped her finger against her temple. “Right here.”

  He curled his hands around the arm of the chair, looking as tightly wound as she’d ever seen him. She was used to casual, fun-loving, relaxed Brady, but he was nowhere to be seen today.

  “I took pictures of things we loved so I can make a scrapbook. I realized I don’t have to hold on to every single thing in order to hold on to the people I loved.”

  “That makes sense,” he whispered then cleared his throat. “A scrapbook sounds like a great idea.”

  “I sold the furniture with the house. The couple who bought it are newlyweds and didn’t have a stick of furniture between them, since they’ve both been living with their parents.”

  “Saved you from having to decide what to do with it, I guess.” He was clearly trying to decide what her decision to sell the house furnished, instead of keeping remnants of her old life, meant.

  “It did.” She smiled, rubbing the now-bare finger of her left hand. “I’m really glad those kids bought the house actually. They’re so young, so excited about their future. I just know that house is going to be filled with love and laughter and lots of screaming babies, just like it should be.”

  His eyes were still trained on her finger when he said, “You took your wedding ring off. When? Why?”

  “I’ll get to that.” She still had so much more of her story to tell him before she got to the part where she let go of her late husband. “I wrestled with my options after the house was gone. I kept one box of things. I donated the kids’ clothes and toys, which really was the hardest part for me.”

  He grimaced. “I can’t even imagine.”

  She’d never thought she would be strong enough to do that. She thought she’d have to hold on to that house forever simply because she couldn’t bear to part with their things. But the promise of a future that was brighter than the last year had kept pushing her forward.

  “The kids who get their things will appreciate them, I’m sure. As for me, I kept the things that mattered most. The photos, christening gowns, drawings, a favorite stuffed animal, toy truck…” She closed her eyes as a fresh wave of pain washed over her.

  “Sweetheart, don’t,” Brady said, crossing the room. He knelt in front of her, resting his palm against her cheek. “You don’t have to do this.”

  “Yes, I do.” She needed him to know what she’d gone through so he would understand there was no going back for her. “I brought that one box with me because it’s the only thing I’ll need from Brockville.”

  “You brought it with you?” he asked, looking as though he was holding his breath. “Does that mean…?”

  She touched his face, feeling the stubble on his cheek and remembering how delicious it felt brushing against her skin when he kissed her. “I went to look at a condo in Brockville.”

  “And…?”

  “It was perfect for me. Just the right size—not too big, not too small. It had an underground parking space and was close to my job and shopping—”

  “Your job. Does that mean you’re going back to teaching in the fall?”

  “I told you I met with my old boss. She invited me to lunch to make sure that I knew how much they wanted me back.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Brady said, lowering his head as he curled his hands around her thighs.

  “The decision to leave wasn’t easy.” She bit her lip when his gaze collided with hers. “But leaving you would have been impossible.”

  He released a shaky breath, dropping his forehead to her thighs. “Then you’re not leaving me? You’re coming back here? To be with me?”

  She cradled his gorgeous face, tipping his head up until his eyes met and held hers. “Being back in Brock
ville reminded me where I belong. That was my past. You’re my future.”

  “I love you so much,” he whispered, pulling her into his arms. He kissed her slowly, as though they had all the time in the world to express their love to each other.

  “I love you too.” When he sat back on his haunches, she said, “You asked about my ring.”

  “Yeah. I hope you didn’t take it off because of me. You know I’d never rush you to—”

  She pressed her index finger against his lips with a smile. “I didn’t do it for you. I did it for me. I went to Trevor’s grave. Of course that’s where the kids are buried too. I hadn’t been able to bring myself to go before.”

  “I hope you weren’t alone,” he said, frowning. “Did your parents go with you?”

  “They wanted to, but I wouldn’t let them. I needed to do it alone.” She thought of the things she’d said to her family that day, the story she’d told them of the life she was building, the man she’d met who’d found a way to make her smile again, in spite of the odds. “I told them about you.”

  “You did?”

  She nodded. “I told them how much I loved them, that I would always, always love them.”

  “I bet you were an amazing mom.”

  “I like to think so.” She sat up a little straighter. “And I’d like to think I will be again someday.”

  His eyes softened. An obvious sheen covered his baby blues when he said, “I know you will.”

  “I met with Trevor’s parents too. It may seem strange, but I wanted them to know that just because I was moving on with someone else, that didn’t minimize in any way what I’d had with their son.”

  “And how did they react?”

  “They told me they loved me.” She felt the sting of tears as she remembered their warm embraces and heartfelt words. “That Trevor had too, and he’d only want the very best for me. They said that I know better than most people that there’s no promise of tomorrow, so we have to seize today.”

  “Does that still scare you, the fact that I can’t promise you tomorrow?” Before she could respond, he said, “You know I would if I could. But I’m sure Trevor would have too.”