by Cindi Myers
“What do you mean?”
“Come on—a Sunday-afternoon emergency haircut? You must have a hot date.”
“No date. It’s, uh, a new client I’m trying to impress.” The lie was at least half-right. He did want to impress Tanya.
“Right. I still bet it’s a woman.”
“Don’t go spreading rumors about me.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dare. I wouldn’t want to harm your vaunted reputation.” She laughed again. “See you at five.”
What was that crack about his reputation? he wondered as he made his way to his office, Nugget at his heels. He certainly wasn’t a ladies’ man, if that was what Melanie was getting at. He’d been too busy at work to date much.
That was probably the reputation she’d been referring to—his lack of a social life. He preferred to think of it as being selective. He wanted a wife and family and all of that, but he needed to find the right woman. He’d gone the route of putting his heart and soul into a relationship early on with Tanya, and he’d paid a high price for such folly. Next time he fell in love, he’d do so slowly. He’d wait until he was sure of the woman’s feelings before he risked his heart again.
TANYA HAD ALWAYS ENJOYED visiting Jack’s father’s construction office when they were kids. The former mining shack had been crammed with interesting bits of wood, rusting metal implements, old calendars and black-and-white photographs of Crested Butte’s past. Everything was dusty and disorganized, and she’d always felt free to explore and enjoy herself.
Jack’s new office was as different from his dad’s old place as an old miners’ cabin was from a shiny new condo. The glass, stone and rustic wood siding mimicked a ski resort chalet, and fine art and expensive furniture filled the elegant lobby.
“Don’t touch anything,” she ordered Annie.
“I won’t.” Annie clasped her hands in front of her and stared, wide-eyed, at a life-size sculpture of a mountain lion.
“Hello!”
Jack hailed them from a landing near the top of the two-story atrium lobby, then descended the sweeping log stairs, a lanky brown dog at his heels.
“This is Nugget,” Jack said. He ordered the dog to sit. The pup did so, though his tail never stopped vibrating. “Annie, this is my dog, Nugget,” Jack continued. “He’s six months old, so he’s still a puppy and he loves to play.”
Annie had retreated to Tanya’s side. “He’s pretty,” she said, but made no move to step forward.
“You can pet him.” Tanya nudged her daughter. Annie was rarely shy, but maybe being here in this imposing place, with a man she didn’t really know, made her insecure.
“Nugget, shake,” Jack said.
The dog obligingly offered a paw. Annie giggled and took the dog’s paw in her hand. “Does he know any other tricks?” she asked.
“That’s about it,” Jack said. “Though he knows fetch.” He produced a worn, once-yellow tennis ball from his pocket. The dog let out an excited bark. “You can throw it for him.” Jack handed the ball to Annie.
“Not too hard,” Tanya cautioned. “Maybe we should go outside.”
“It’ll be all right,” Jack said. “There’s nothing in here she can hurt.”
Tanya eyed the impressive piece of Native American pottery on a side table. “Be careful,” she told Annie.
Annie gently tossed the ball, then laughed as Nugget skidded across the polished wood floor to retrieve the toy. The dog raced back to the girl’s side and deposited the ball at her feet, silently begging for more.
“They’ll be fine down here,” Jack said. “Would you like to come up and see my office?”
“All right.” She couldn’t deny she was curious for a glimpse into the professional life of this more mature Jack.
His office was as impressive as the rest of the building, all rugged wood beams and leather furniture. Photographs of towering ski area condos and luxurious vacation homes decorated the walls. “Are these some of your projects?” she asked.
“Some of them. We’re one of the top builders in the area.”
She supposed the pride she heard in his voice was justified, but it reminded her too much of Stuart, who had loved to brag about his own accomplishments. He’d filled their apartment with photographs of himself in his various acting roles or posing with celebrities.
Of course, Jack probably needed to show his work to his clients, but she wasn’t one. Why should he try to impress her?
“Would you like something to drink?” he asked. “Coffee or a soda?”
“No, thanks.” She sat in a soft leather chair across from his desk. Instead of settling behind the desk, he pulled a second chair alongside hers. Everything about him was more imposing than she remembered—the width of his shoulders, the muscles of his arms as he leaned forward and the self-confidence of a man used to taking charge of his world.
“Crested Butte must seem pretty tame after your time in Hollywood,” he said.
“Everything’s changed so much.” Her gaze shifted to the photographs of the condos he’d built. “It wasn’t what I expected.”
“I was surprised to hear you’d come back to town,” he said. “What brought you back?”
He fixed his gaze on her, scrutinizing her. Judging her. She resisted the urge to squirm in her chair. “I wanted a good place to raise Annie,” she said.
“That’s ironic, don’t you think?”
His tone was light, but the words sounded like an accusation. “What do you mean?”
“You grew up here and you couldn’t wait to leave.”
“I grew up a lot more in L.A.” The bright lights of the big city had illuminated a lot of things, both good and bad. Some of the dreams she’d arrived with had turned out to be less than wonderful in real life, while others had proved entirely out of her reach.
“How long do you think you’ll stay this time?”
“I don’t have any plans to leave again.” His superior attitude was starting to annoy her. Was he waiting for her to apologize for leaving? To admit she’d made a mistake? Well, that wasn’t going to happen. “Look, I know you were upset when I left,” she said, “but that was ten years ago.”
“I was upset.” His jaw muscles tightened, though his expression remained calm. “But you’re right—it was a long time ago. It would be silly to hold a grudge over something that happened when we were both so young.”
“We’re not exactly old now.” But there were days when she felt the impact of the last decade keenly, emotionally if not physically.
“Not you, certainly.” His gaze lingered on the curve of her cheek and the tilt of her mouth. “The big-city polish suits you.”
And maturity suited him. He was clearly one of those men who would grow better-looking each year, but part of her missed the sweet boy she’d loved. “You’ve changed,” she said.
“How so?”
She shifted in her chair. “I don’t know. You seem…more imposing than you ever were before.”
He laughed, a sudden sharp retort that bounced off the walls. “Right. I’m about as imposing as…as Zephyr.”
“Better groomed, at least.” She risked an admiring gaze at his perfectly styled chestnut-brown hair. “And better dressed.” She shifted her attention to his pale blue button-down shirt and neatly pressed chinos. A tie or suit would have looked out of place in the mountain town, but the expensive cut of even these casual clothes signaled that he was a man of consequence.
A man who would garner a second—even a third—look from any passing female. “I was surprised to learn you aren’t married.”
One eyebrow quirked upward. “So you’ve been checking up on me.”
Heat flooded her face. “No.” She paused. “My mother mentioned it.” When she’d said Jack had never married, the idea had startled Tanya. He’d been ready enough to settle down the last time she’d seen him. Jack was made to be a husband and father, it seemed to her. Though that was the Jack she’d known then. Maybe the years had changed him even more th
an she’d realized.
“I’ve been too busy with work, though I’ve been meaning to get out and mingle more.”
“No ex-wives hanging around?” she asked. Maybe her mother had that part wrong. Her stomach tightened as she waited for the answer.
“Nope.” His eyes met hers, the heat of his gaze melting into her. “I always said when I tied the knot, it would have to be forever.”
She bristled at the implied criticism. “It’s not as if I married Stuart planning to get a divorce.”
“I’m sure no one does. But I’m hoping by taking my time and choosing the right partner, I can avoid that heartache.”
“Let me know if you figure out the secret to choosing that ‘right’ partner,” she said. “Obviously I don’t know it.”
True, she and Stuart hadn’t known each other long when they got engaged; they’d been caught up in the heady rush of romance the first time they met on the soundstage of the soap opera where they both had leading roles. Their very first scene together had involved a passionate kiss. She’d expected a competent but emotionless effort during their initial rehearsal. Instead, he’d surprised her with an intense exchange that had left her breathless and weak in the knees. They’d been inseparable from that moment on and had married a scant three months later. She’d had no hint of the end that was coming until several happy years had passed, so what made Jack so sure he could count on happily ever after?
“I like to think I’ll know the right woman when I find her,” he said. His voice was calm, dispassionate even, but she felt a pinch of pain around her heart as he spoke.
At one time he’d thought she was the right woman. And more than once over the years, she’d wondered if he was the right man—the one she’d let slip away. Looking at him now, she felt the pull of that old attraction, and the memory of the sexual chemistry that had burned so brightly between them.
It would be so simple to fall in love with Jack again, to sink into the familiar feeling of being cared for, here in the hometown she loved, with the man who’d always made her happy.
She mentally shook herself, brushing away the dreamy fog of fantasy. Jack had made it pretty clear he had no romantic interest in her. He might be willing to allow her daughter to play with his dog or to show her all his accomplishments, but no matter what he said, she sensed he hadn’t really forgiven her for the way she’d wounded him before. His damned pride was one thing that hadn’t changed since their youth.
She sat up straighter and leaned away from him. “We’d better check on Annie and Nugget,” she said. “They’ve been awfully quiet.”
Not waiting for his answer, she shoved out of the chair and headed for the stairs. She needed to put some distance between them to regain her perspective. She’d left Crested Butte—and Jack—because she needed the chance to stand on her own feet. That need hadn’t changed, even if she had faltered lately, and she wouldn’t allow him or anyone else to think otherwise.
THEY FOUND ANNIE AND Nugget outside, in the fenced storage yard behind the office. The two of them were “helping” Jack’s dad sort through lumber left over from a recent job. “Stuff like this would make a great tree house,” Andy said, holding up a two-by-four. “Do kids even build tree houses these days?”
“I’d like a tree house,” Annie said. “But first I’d have to find a tree.”
“That is one requirement,” Andy agreed.
“I see you’ve found a helper,” Jack said.
Andy looked up. His smile widened when he saw Tanya. “T-square! Look at you, all growed up. Come and give me a hug.”
Cheeks flushed a becoming pink, Tanya obliged. A long moment passed before Andy released her and stepped back. “You’re more beautiful than ever,” he said. “It’s good to see you again.”
“It’s good to see you, too, Mr. Crenshaw.”
“Is this your little one?” He nodded at Annie, who stared at the two of them, as if trying to figure out their relationship.
“Yes, this is my daughter, Annie.”
“I might have known. She looks just like you when you were that age.”
“You knew my mom when she was seven?” Annie asked.
“I’ve known your mother since she was in diapers.”
Annie giggled. Apparently the image of Tanya in diapers was hilarious.
“I guess Jack has shown you around the place,” Andy said.
“Yes. It’s really beautiful.”
“I take no credit. It was all his doing. He’s made the business into a really big success.”
“So I gather.”
“You should get him to show you his house sometime,” Andy continued.
“Dad!”
“I’m serious. It’s quite the showplace,” Andy continued. “All built in his spare time from this job.”
“It’s nothing special,” Jack said. Not to anyone but him. Compared to the houses he built for wealthy second-home owners and celebrities, his house was small and rustic. He’d happened onto a secluded lot at a bargain price several years ago and decided to indulge his curiosity about green building techniques. The result was a quirky, eclectic cabin that was completely self-sufficient.
“What brings you here?” Andy asked. “Do you want Jack to build you a house? He’s done several for movie stars, though to tell you the truth, I can’t remember any of their names.”
“Oh, no, I’m not here about a house.” She blushed again, the extra color making her eyes sparkle. She looked so amazing, the skinny girl who’d left replaced by this woman who was all soft curves and red-gold curls. The kind of woman any man couldn’t help but stop and watch—the fact that he couldn’t keep his eyes off her only proved he was normal.
“I came by because Annie wanted to meet Nugget,” Tanya said.
Not to see him, he reminded himself.
“You hear that, boy?” Andy scratched behind the dog’s ears. “You have fans.”
Annie giggled. “I’m the president of the Nugget fan club,” she announced.
“Who else is in the club?” Andy asked.
“You can be in it. And Jack. And my mom.”
“Sounds like a good club to me,” Andy said. “A very exclusive membership.”
Listening to his dad banter with the little girl, Jack felt a tightness in his chest. He’d forgotten how good Andy was with children. He was going to make a terrific grandfather. Jack felt guilty for denying him that pleasure so far.
“Before I forget, son, the Kiwanis are looking for a volunteer to sit in the dunking booth at their kids’ carnival next weekend,” Andy said. “I told them you might be interested.”
“A dunking booth? Dad, why would I want to allow people to throw things at a target to sink me?”
“What do they throw?” Tanya asked. “Baseballs? Beanbags?”
“Tomatoes!” Andy laughed. “Overripe ones. When they dunk you, you get rinsed off.”
“Absolutely not.” Jack shook his head.
“Come on, son. It’s for a good cause.”
“I’d certainly pay to see it,” Tanya said, grinning.
“If you think it’s so great, why don’t you do it?” Jack asked his dad.
“Well, you know I have this sinus problem.” Andy put a hand to his nose. “I don’t think all that water up my nose would be a good idea.”
“Who did it last year?” Jack asked.
“Last year we got that singer with the one name—Zeppelin or something—but his band is performing this year, so he’s not available.”
“His name’s Zephyr.” It figured. There was a man who didn’t know the meaning of the word dignity. “He just sprained his ankle, so he wouldn’t be available anyway.”
“Oh, no!” Tanya said. “I was afraid he was hurt when he fell.”
“He’ll be fine,” Jack said. “And this will be one more colorful story to add to his legend.”
“Zephyr is colorful, all right,” she said.
“We’ve got all types here, that’s for sure,” Andy s
aid. “I like to say there’s room for everybody here in Crested Butte.”
“And everybody seems to agree,” Tanya said. “I can’t get over how much the town has grown since I left. I came back for visits, of course, but moving back really opened my eyes to all the new developments crowding the mountains.”
Developments Jack had helped build. “Everyone’s trying to balance the desire for growth against the need to keep the qualities that brought people here in the first place,” he said. “We want to share our love of the town and its beautiful location, while not letting people love it to death.”
“You may already be too late,” Tanya said.
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Andy said. “There’s a lot of new people here, but most of them are friendly folks. You and Annie should come to our picnic next Saturday, you could meet a lot of them.”
Tanya glanced at Jack. “What picnic is that?”
“The annual Crenshaw Construction company Independence Day picnic,” Andy said. “You remember, don’t you?”
Tanya remembered. For several years in a row on the weekend closest to July Fourth, she’d attended the big celebration at the park that was a combination old-time picnic, summer barbecue and family reunion. Highlights of the day included three-legged races and a softball tournament. “I’m sure Annie would enjoy that,” she said. “I would, too.”
“Then I’ll expect to see you there.” Andy beamed.
She glanced at her watch. “It was nice seeing you again, Mr. Crenshaw, but Annie and I have to go now.”
“But I don’t want to go,” Annie said. “I want to stay here and play with Nugget and talk about tree houses.”
“Your grandmother is taking you into Gunnison to buy school clothes this afternoon, remember?”
Annie made a face. “I’d rather stay here.”
“That’s not an option.” Tanya took her daughter’s hand. “Thank Mr. Crenshaw for letting you play with his dog,” she admonished.
“Thank you for letting me play with Nugget.” Annie gave the dog a big hug. “And thanks for playing with me, Nugget.”
Nugget rewarded the little girl with a big kiss and a whole-body wag.
