Love Under Construction

by Britney M. Mills

  He dialed her number, hoping she’d pick up. Instead, the call went to her voicemail, and a pit formed in his stomach. An uneasy feeling came over him, and he wasn’t sure how to fix it.

  Checking the last text he’d sent her before tonight, he realized it had been several days since he’d talked to her. Blowing out a breath, he ran his hand through his hair. He just hoped she’d realize why he’d been missing when she saw what he’d built for her.

  Chapter 24

  Becca felt the exhaustion through her body as the day of the festival wore on. She’d been working to arrange all the flowers for most of the morning in the rec center and then made sure all the raffle items had been collected.

  Her phone buzzed again, another message from Colton pleading for her to answer. He’d sent several over the last two days, as well as calling and leaving voicemails. But she’d stopped reading and listening after the first few.

  As soon as she’d shown a change in her opinion to approve the subdivision after the flood, Colton had quit calling, texting, and coming by. Okay, maybe it had been a few days but before that, she couldn’t shake him if she wanted. He’d done it. She’d fallen for him, and he’d gotten his vote and his project manager job, and then he was done with her, just like Peter. She knew better and still fell for him.

  Becca thought they’d really connected, making his silence and absence cut deep. She didn’t know why he’d started trying to contact her again, but she couldn’t keep putting herself out there.

  She deleted the message before reading it, knowing it was better to steel herself now rather than let things continue between the two of them. She just couldn’t handle the heartbreak, and if she broke things off now, she hoped the wounds she already had would heal with her avoiding him.

  “That birdhouse is beautiful. Who brought it in?” she asked Danielle, who she’d roped into helping her.

  Danielle shrugged. “I’m not sure. It was here when I walked in earlier. It’s amazing, though. Who do you think made it?”

  Becca thought through several of the older men in town, the ones who’d taken up woodworking once they’d retired. She could leave Mr. McCready out since he’d gotten Colton to do most of the repairs on his house since Colton had been in town.

  A few other people came in, bringing their items and leaving them on the table.

  “Thank you all for helping out with this,” Becca said, greeting each of them as they left. There had been a parade earlier, and several booths were in the park just outside the rec center, many of the townspeople taking up their usual spots with their concessions and crafts.

  By the time they had the final raffle items, Becca was ready to get started and get this over with. For some reason, seeing glimpses of Colton around the townspeople made her feel like she’d been chained with this raffle she’d come up with.

  Soon enough, the chairs were filled in the rec center, and the short historical production of the history of the festival played out on the stage. Then it was her turn.

  “Good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming out and supporting us with this raffle. You’ll see the table over here to my left is overflowing with items, and all of the money raised will be used to get a more efficient system to prevent flooding of the pond in the future, as well as help those with large bills from any damage sustained.”

  The crowd clapped, and Becca waited for it to die down before signaling Danielle. She brought up the first item, a set of kitchen towels, oven mitt, and napkins, all with the same pattern. With the amount of color and flowers, it had to have been made by Dixie Flores.

  An hour passed by, the table clearing little by little. She was amazed by the generosity of the members of the town, and they’d met their goal by that point.

  “Let’s take a break, and we’ll continue the raffle. Susie has made sure we have plenty of food there at the back, so go get some, relax, and come back to finish out the raffle.”

  The crowd moved quickly to form a line past the walls Colton had created, the chatter rising to loud volumes.

  “Another great idea executed by the amazing Becca Taylor,” Danielle said, stepping back on stage and giving her a hug. “What a great way to help out the town.”

  “We’ve still got a lot to raffle off, though.” She looked at several of the items, feeling even more tired. Speaking in front of people didn’t make her super nervous, but the extended amount she’d already done had zapped the little bit of energy she had left.

  Danielle leaned in close. “Better go find your boy Colton. Isn’t there some kind of dance tonight?”

  Becca frowned, searching the crowd for him. He stood near the door, surrounded by several women, and he appeared to be entertaining them. Maybe that’s what he’d been doing during his silence.

  Fury sparked inside her. Had none of their time together meant anything to him? And that kiss. She’d felt the sparks between them, but was it possible it was only on her end? She couldn’t believe he could be so two-faced to have wooed her for her vote.

  And now he was flirting with half the single women in town, from ages twenty to forty-five.

  “I’ve got a major headache coming on, Dani. Can you take care of this?” Becca asked, motioning toward the table.

  Danielle’s eyes looked over the crowd and seemed to see what Becca had already noted. “Becca, you’ll be fine. Talking to him is a better option than assuming.”

  “That’s not why I’m going home,” Becca said, stamping a foot with the last three words.

  “Okay,” Danielle said, taking a step back with her hands raised. “I’ve got this. You go rest. But promise me you’ll talk to him tomorrow.”

  The intensity of Danielle’s gaze bore through her, and Becca turned so she didn’t have to look her in the eyes as she lied. “Fine. Tomorrow.”

  Keeping her eyes on Colton, she moved through the crowd, making sure he couldn’t see her escape. She didn’t need him running after her if he, in fact, did care about her at all.

  Chapter 25

  Colton loved the excitement of the town throughout the festival, from the parade to the fried foods to the buzz of the townspeople. He knew quite a few of them now, and he felt more at home than he had in forever. This was the kind of place where he could see himself for the rest of his life, hopefully convincing his mother to move closer.

  But what he wanted most was Becca right there next to him, building a home together, a family, a life. He could feel it in the depths of his soul, as if taking the first sip of water after a long drought.

  She’d been busy on the stage, flitting about and getting things ready for the raffle when he came in, and he knew he’d need her full attention if he was going to apologize properly. Hopefully, he’d catch her after all the prizes were gone and she could really hear what he had to say.

  Maybe he’d even do it publicly once she raffled off the birdhouse he’d built for her. He’d planned to raise the price during the auction with the help of several of the older people. He just hoped his plan would work out and she’d trust him.

  He’d watched her vibrance for life as she got excited for each of the prizes to be raffled. There was just so much about her that surprised him. The trauma she’d been through still weighed on her, but she also showed him how comfortable she was in Sage Creek.

  Once they were dismissed to get food, Colton heard his stomach rumble and walked over to get in line. Within seconds, he was surrounded by several ladies he’d met during his few weeks there.

  “Congrats on the subdivision going through, Colton,” one woman to his right said, stroking her fingers up and down his arm. He couldn’t remember her name, but he took a step back, hoping to get her to drop her arm.

  “What’s going on with you and Becca?” Tara Jones asked. She looked more curious than anything, and Colton was grateful for at least one girl who wasn’t trying to fawn over him while in line.

  Colton opened his mouth to speak, but before he could respond, the first woman giggled, sounding more
like a cackle.

  “Becca dating anyone after that Greek God, Peter Hamburg? I doubt it. The man had everything going for him. Looks and an amazing job with tons of money coming in. He was the picture of the perfect boyfriend.” The woman smacked her lips together, rubbing the lipstick around.

  Tara turned to her, her arms folded. “I think she dodged a bullet. The guy was a tool who changed completely once he got a raise. Becca deserves better.”

  The line moved forward, and the conversation around him changed, leaving him with the words spinning around his head. He couldn’t get the words “picture perfect boyfriend” out of his head. Was that what Becca wanted? She seemed like a woman who didn’t care much about money, but then again, she’d agreed to marry Peter. Would getting a promotion turn Colton into someone similar to her ex-fiancé?

  He wished the subdivision hadn’t gone through. Then he wouldn’t be stuck here, pining for a woman who was obviously trying to avoid him. She’d never returned his calls or texts, and when he tried to stop by her shop, she’d sent out her young employee instead. Maybe it was for the best that he head out and leave her to her security.

  Casting a quick glance at the stage when a voice came through on the microphone, he noticed Becca’s absence. The woman speaking was Becca’s best friend, Danielle, and she announced they would start the raffle again in about ten minutes.

  Deciding to get some food later, he excused himself from the group and walked to the platform.

  “Did Becca leave?” he asked the woman, not even pausing for a hello.

  The sadness in Danielle’s eyes told him all he needed to know. “Yeah, she said she wasn’t feeling well. Can I give her a message?”

  Shaking his head, Colton’s chest tightened like it was about to implode. The conversation he’d had with the women in line swirled through his thoughts. He’d been lying to himself the entire time.

  He walked across the block and down Main Street in the crisp spring air. The stars were bright here, especially against the dark sky, and Colton already felt the loss of the daydreams he’d built up as his future here.

  He could see Becca’s home from where he stood on the corner by the doctor’s office, across the street from her flower shop. Seeing one light on upstairs, he debated whether or not to knock on her door.

  Covering the distance in a matter of seconds, he knocked, or more like pounded on the door.

  “Becca! Becca! Danielle said you went home. Please just open the door and talk to me. Tell me why you won’t talk to me, and I’ll leave you alone.” He knocked again before saying, “I like you, Becca, and I want us to be together. But I can’t do that if there’s always a wall between us.”

  He heard a sound relatively close to the door, and he moved over to the window, feeling a bit like a stalker as he cupped both hands around his eyes and tried to peer in. A large cat was lounging next to a half-eaten sandwich on the side table. The television was on, but there was no sign of Becca.

  As the emotions warred within him, he turned and walked to the hotel, figuring now was the best time to get on with his life. He couldn’t stay in this town a moment longer, knowing the woman he loved wouldn’t speak to him and wouldn’t even tell him why. Best to save himself the embarrassment before it was laid out for him.

  It took an eternity for Monday morning to roll around, and once inside his boss’s office, he explained how he needed to be moved back to one of the finish crews.

  “You want off the job? This is what you’ve been working for, Colton. Are you sure that’s really what you want to do?” Adam paced back and forth in his luxurious office.

  Colton shifted back in the wingback chair, blowing out a breath. “I’m not sure I’m cut out to be a project manager, Adam.”

  “I know I don’t say much,” Adam said, pulling something from his desk. “But I think the world of you, man. You’re the most qualified person in our company. You’ve even taught me everything I know about residential building since I got this assignment.”

  “Thank you, sir. Maybe a bit more time with the finish crew will help me prepare a bit more. I just don’t want to let the company down,” Colton said, moving his eyes to the decorative rug. More so, he didn’t want to let himself down. He didn’t know another job but being the carpenter, and if it was going to change him, he didn’t want a part of it. He might be dooming himself to a life of bachelorhood, but he could live with himself the way he was. It seemed like the hole in his heart would never heal anyway. It was better to keep his hands busy with all the little things that came with building rather than having to actually think about how he’d messed things up with Becca.

  “I’ll put our new guy, Peter, on it for now, but if you change your mind, it’s still yours.”

  Colton stood, reaching his hand over the large desk between him and his boss. “Thank you, sir. I’ll let you know if anything changes.”

  He walked out of the office, letting out a deep breath. He thought he’d feel relieved and things would go back to normal, but instead, his mind conjured up a picture of the beautiful girl with hazel eyes he’d left in Sage Creek. He’d do everything he could to avoid hurting her. And this was the sacrifice.

  Chapter 26

  “Becca, you need to smile once in a while. People are talking about how the flowers are wilting faster because the flower girl isn’t her usual happy self.” Velda set a plate overflowing with a sandwich and French fries on the counter, glaring at Becca.

  “I smile,” Becca said, frowning.

  “She’s sulking,” Danielle said, sliding next to Becca and stealing one of her fries.

  The older woman behind the counter leaned forward, looking excited for any snippet of information.

  “I don’t sulk. I’m just here to eat my sandwich in peace.” Becca picked up a section of the turkey club, taking a bite from it so she didn’t have to speak anymore.

  Danielle turned to Velda and lowered her voice, still keeping it loud enough for Becca to hear. “She’s in love with Colton Maxfield, but she’s too stubborn to tell him. I’ve told her I’ll drive her to Denver and help her find him, but she refuses.”

  “I’m still here, you two.” Becca bit down on a fry, feeling more sour than she had when she walked in.

  She’d thought about Colton more over the past week than she had while he was here, which was a lot. Why would he leave without saying goodbye? She’d only heard on Monday that he’d gone, when it was all around town that he left the morning after the festival. The feeling of betrayal she’d felt after finding out Peter had ditched her on her wedding day was at least double now, knowing he’d just left without saying a word. Especially when he knew she’d been left before.

  He’d used her, getting close to her to get her vote, and then he’d vanished.

  Danielle had already been over it with her several times, and it sounded like she was on her soapbox again. “You didn’t text him back. That means you have to be the one to show him how much he means to you. Like doing something out of your comfort zone.” Her best friend emphasized the last two words slowly and with emphasis.

  “If he really cared about me, he wouldn’t have left without a note or a word.”

  Danielle scoffed next to her. “Really? I remember you saying he came over and pounded on your door, wanting to talk. And you didn’t. open. the. door.”

  “Relationships go two ways, honey,” Velda said, one hand on her hip. “I’d say the ball’s in your court.”

  “Days without speaking to me after we’d spent several days in a row together. Doesn’t that sound a lot like Peter to you?”

  Danielle shook her head. “Yeah, but Peter never apologized or went out of his way to make it up to you. And I’m pretty sure he has a good reason for his radio silence those few days. But have you let him explain that to you? No. At least hear him out before you give up completely.”

  Velda moved to help another customer, and Danielle ate her food in silence. But the feeling of guilt started to overtake Becca.


  What would her life look like with Colton in it on a more permanent basis? And what would it be like without him there? Empty. That’s how it would be.

  “Fine. I’ll go if you drive.” Becca pulled some cash from her purse and left it on the counter. Standing, she turned to Danielle, who looked at her with eyes wide, her mouth hung open.

  “Are you serious?” Danielle asked, swallowing harder than looked comfortable.

  “If we don’t go now, I’ll probably back out.” Becca turned and walked to the door, turning slightly to see her friend scramble from her place at the bar.

  “Velda, I’ll pay for this once I get back from Denver!” Danielle let out a squeal, turning the heads of the rest of the patrons in the restaurant.

  The older woman waved her hand. “It’s on the house. Just make sure that girl comes back with a man.” She smiled wide, pointing in Becca’s direction. That was all she needed, the whole town talking about her love life once again.

  Not that any of it was certain right then, but a spark of hope flared. Maybe if she begged forgiveness, she’d know how Colton really felt about her. Because she loved him, loved that he was willing to put himself into the throes of helping a town he barely knew for only a few days.

  But more than that, she loved how he made her feel safe, that he’d try new things like helping her at the flower shop. And the way her body nearly sang when he kissed her, it was a sensation she’d probably never feel again if she didn’t go after him.

  The two of them piled into Danielle’s crossover vehicle, and as they clicked on their seatbelts, Danielle looked over, her eyebrows raised nearly to her hairline.