Can’t Hurry Love

by Nadine Millard

  “I’m leaving before you wipe out my trust fund.” He stood and grinned with a joviality he didn’t feel.

  Glancing at the clock, he saw that it was getting on for ten thirty. If the date was going well, they’d probably still be in the restaurant. Or worse, if it was going too well, they could be somewhere a lot more intimate than the restaurant.

  What if Decker kissed her? Josh knew what it was to kiss Beth, so he knew if a man who wasn’t as screwed up as he was got the opportunity, then he’d probably never want to stop. The thought made him feel a bit queasy.

  He said his goodbyes and made his way out of Joe’s Bar & Grill, waving at greetings called out left and right.

  He would have had to be blind not to notice the open invitation in Steph Gruber’s eyes. The waitress had had a thing with Jack Beckford last year before Zoe’s return to Rocky Valley. Josh had been there the night Beck had seen Zoe. The exact moment that Beck became blind to every other woman on the planet.

  The frightening thing was that Josh was beginning to think he knew exactly how Beck felt.

  He smiled politely but briefly at the waitress, making sure there wasn’t a hint of his own invitation in his expression.

  Before leaving for Joe’s, his phone had rung again. Not Ellen, but a Chicago number he didn’t recognise. Ignoring it had left him feeling vaguely uneasy, but he figured it could just be an old friend or colleague calling from a new number. Still, he made a promise to himself to answer the next time Ellen called. Just in case something was going on.

  The walk to his apartment wouldn’t take long. Nothing really took long in Rocky Valley unless he was travelling out to one of the ranches or sprawling properties.

  It was a gorgeous, clear night with the mountain still snow-capped reaching toward the starry sky. It never failed to take his breath away — the sky here, the mountains, the rivers and lakes. Even the air. He felt like he could breathe here. Really breathe.

  Or he had… until the idea of Beth on a date with a hotshot millionaire sat itself on his chest like an anvil.

  Walking down Main Street, he turned his eyes toward Beth’s place, surprised to see lights on. They didn’t get a lot of break-ins in Rocky Valley and even if they did, he couldn’t imagine any thieves lighting the place up and drawing attention to themselves. Still, he felt he should check it out. Maybe give Beth a call to let her know…

  It was an excuse, of course. He could and should just call Sheriff Callahan if he suspected anything. But he crossed the street anyway and looked through the big window at the front of the shop.

  Not a thief.

  Just Beth looking mouth-watering in a black dress tight enough to damn near stop his heart. She was sitting on a stool at her counter, shoes off, bare legs crossed and giving him the best view he’d seen in a long time.

  It felt a little creepy standing here watching her through the window, but he didn’t want to leave.

  She looked a little deflated, her elbow leaning on the countertop, her chin in her hand, and even though he had every reason in the world to stay away, Josh walked through the door.

  Beth turned around at his entrance, and he watched closely for signs that he wasn’t welcome. Those giant blue eyes were way more expressive than he’d bet she realised. It was one of the many things he liked about her. A lot. Though the brief flash of happiness quickly disappeared, she didn’t look as if she wanted to kick him out, and he took that as an invitation to come closer.

  “Hey,” he said, still not sure of his reception.

  “Hey,” she said back flatly.

  Something was definitely wrong. He’d never known Beth to feel or sound flat. Ever.

  “You ok?” he asked carefully.

  Her sigh sounded as if it had come right from her soul.

  While he waited for her to answer, he noticed the music playing over the sound system. Air Supply’s Making Love Out of Nothing At All.

  That couldn’t be good, could it? He was no expert, but he figured a woman in her twenties wouldn’t be listening to Air Supply unless she was going through something. Which she was, if her expression was anything to go by.

  A sudden dread filled him, and he marched forward. “Beth, what’s wrong? Did — did Decker do something?” The rage coursing through him was more intense than any he’d ever felt. The thought of Mason upsetting her, hurting her in any away made him angry in a way not even Elaine’s betrayal had.

  She frowned at him.

  “What? No, of course not,” she said, and the relief literally made him weak.

  He dropped into a stool beside her. “So what gives?”

  For a minute, he didn’t think she’d answer but finally, she sighed again and hopped off her seat.

  “I made some hot chocolate. You want some?”

  Air Supply and hot chocolate? This felt like something that called for Zoe or Brooke or one of the other ladies.

  The song ended and I’m All Out of Love started up.

  It was — intense.

  At just after ten thirty, it was way too early for a date that was going well to have ended. Their own hadn’t until the early hours, he remembered a bit smugly.

  But was that the reason for the power ballads and sugar fix? Was she upset about Decker?

  And here came the jealousy…

  “Hot chocolate sounds great,” he lied. But if drinking it was the price he had to pay to spend this time with her, he’d gladly do it.

  Beth was quiet as she fixed him a cup overflowing with cream and marshmallows.

  “Isn’t this more of a winter drink?” he said, smiling as she set the mug in front of him, more to break the heavy silence than anything else.

  “Not when you need chocolate and don’t want to break into your baking stock.” She smiled back, but it was tiny and fleeting.

  She sat back down then picked up her spoon to stir her own drink absent-mindedly.

  “So…” He began to ask the question he was dreading the answer to. “…how was your date?”

  Her eyes snapped to his before dropping again to her cup. “It was fine. He’s nice.”

  That was it? Nice? Nice told him nothing. It was just — nice.

  “Are you seeing him again?” he asked, trying to keep his voice even.

  Once again, her eyes flew up to meet his. “Why are you asking, Josh?” she asked, a note of challenge in his voice.

  Why was he asking? Because he was a glutton for punishment? Because every detail of her life fascinated him, even though it shouldn’t?

  “I’m just — being a friend,” he lied. “Taking an interest in your life.”

  “And we’re friends?” she asked, her big blue eyes gazing intently into his own.

  “That’s up to you,” he answered softly. He had absolutely no interest in being her friend. But he couldn’t offer her more, and he’d rather have her in his life than not.

  She sat quietly, seeming to mull over his words.

  He sipped the chocolate, which was actually pretty good, and waited.

  Finally, she shrugged. “It wasn’t great,” she said grudgingly, and he tried not to feel too happy about that, but he was obviously a selfish bastard because he had to fight to hide a grin. “He’s really nice and good-looking, and actually interested in a relationship…” she said dully, wiping the smile well and truly from his face and replacing the smugness with guilt and regret. “…with someone who’s not me. There was no spark. No — zing.”

  “Spark and zing?” he repeated teasingly. He remembered how she’d talked about her romance novels and rom coms. He found her romantic stuff hilarious but endearing. And honestly, he would have found the whole thing ridiculous if he hadn’t felt sparks and zings and a whole lot more from the first time he’d kissed her.

  Once again, he found himself wanting to just throw caution to the wind. Take this thing where they both wanted it to go.

  But he couldn’t do it to her.

  They’d be electric together, he knew it, and he suspected B
eth did, too. But she wanted serious, and serious was the one thing he couldn’t give her.

  So why couldn’t he just stay the hell away?

  Her sudden scowl was all the warning he needed that she didn’t find his teasing funny.

  “Yeah, Josh. Spark and zing. Some of us still believe in that. Still want that.”

  He didn’t know why, but her words stung.

  “And some of us are mature enough to know not to believe in fairy tales,” he snapped like a jackass.

  The second the words were out he wanted to take them back.

  Her eyes flashed with blue fire, and he knew he’d gotten to her.

  But the saccharine smile threw him.

  “Thankfully, there are plenty of people just as immature as me left in the world. And I intend to find my perfect match at the matchmaking festival.”

  “At the what?”

  “The matchmaking festival. Speed dating, social events, the works! A gathering of people who actually want to find love, Josh. Something you clearly know nothing about.”

  He could tell her that actually he knew a lot about love. About how it could destroy a person. About how it faded and became something dark and ruinous.

  Instead, he laughed. “Beth, you can’t just speed date your way to a happily ever after. It doesn’t work that way. You can’t hurry love.”

  She smirked at him, and he felt like a damned idiot.

  “Thanks for the warning, Diana Ross, but when I need advice on the heart from someone, I won’t be calling you.”

  He scowled at her sarcastic remark.

  “I’m staying in here tonight, and I’m tired, so if you’re done?”

  It wasn’t really a question, more a command. And he was tempted to just sit there and annoy her further.

  Actually, he was tempted to take her in his arms and kiss any and all thoughts of other men clean out of her.

  And that’s why he knew he should leave.

  “Goodnight, Beth,” he murmured for want of anything better to say.

  “Night,” she bit out.

  When he turned at the door, she already had her back to him.

  He walked home, hands in pockets, somehow feeling worse than he had imagining her on a date.

  Chapter Ten

  “I can’t believe you’ve pulled this together in only a couple of weeks, Paige. It’s incredible.” Beth turned in a full circle taking in her surroundings.

  The community hall, usually used for town council meetings and the occasional fundraiser, even weddings at times, had been transformed in the last couple of weeks. Hundreds of fairy lights had been wrapped around the old wooden beams on the ceiling, and tables had been covered in white cloth with candelabras set in the middle. It was gorgeous; romantic and intimate. Just like a movie set.

  “We all helped,” Paige answered modestly.

  It was true, Beth supposed. She had worked every spare second helping to pull this thing off. But Paige had been the mastermind. She had a talent for organising. For pulling people together.

  “I’m so nervous about tonight,” Beth said as she straightened cocktail menus that were already perfectly straight.

  Joe’s Bar & Grill were providing the bar service, and catering was being handled by Bella’s with desserts and sweet treats from Beth herself. She’d run herself into the ground baking for it this week, but it had paid well, and if she found love out of it, it would be worth it!

  Tonight was officially kicking off their weeklong matchmaking festival. A fun idea that Brooke had come up with. Everyone interested in meeting someone had filled in an anonymous profile and been given a number. Then they had to find their corresponding numbers based on similar interests. Tomorrow, there would be a group hike to one of the lakes and then a speed dating event at the library. Weeknights were reserved for private dates, something the participants were left to their own devices for. And then next weekend everything was wrapping up with a formal night back here in the community centre.

  Brooke had said it would add a sense of occasion to make it formalwear. And they all agreed that any chance to dress up was a bonus.

  All day, Beth had mulled next weekend in her head.

  Would she strike gold this week? She could just picture it, walking into the centre next week in something long and elegant on the arm of a gorgeous man who’d fallen desperately in love with her.

  If the only face she could picture when she thought of this was Josh Larson’s… well, that was an inconvenience, but something that she could hopefully ignore after meeting her perfect match this evening.

  “Zoe and Beck said they’ll get here early to start checking tickets and cover charges for people who haven’t pre-registered,” she told Paige who was scanning her emails.

  “Do you think we’ll get many? We’re not that far off capacity. I can’t believe how many people signed up!” Paige sounded worried.

  “It’s your own fault for putting together such a fabulous festival.” Beth grinned. “Don’t worry, Paige. I doubt the fire chief will shut us down. Especially since he’s registered, so he’ll be busy.”

  Paige laughed and set down her phone.

  “And Brooke won’t let her big brother ruin our event anyway. I really hope he likes his match. It’ll good for him to get back out there after Rose’s death.”

  A few years ago, Cal Winters’ wife, Rose, had gotten sick, leaving him alone with their two little girls. Brooke had been a great help to him, as well as their parents, Joe and Sally.

  Beth had been surprised to hear that Cal had signed up. That was, until Brooke informed them that she’d done it for him and informed him after the fact. And told him that he’d been assigned a date who’d be stood up if he didn’t attend.

  They had no doubt he’d show up. For one thing, he’d never refuse knowing that a lady would be hurt by his absence. And for another, nobody, not even someone as big and strong as Cal Winters was brave enough to say no to Brooke.

  “It’ll be good for all of us,” Beth said with confidence. “I still think you should have signed up yourself.”

  Paige had refused point blank, which wasn’t all that surprising given how shy she was.

  “Like I said, someone needs to make sure everything is running smoothly.”

  “Hmm. And avoid socialising with strangers.” Beth raised a brow.

  “That too.” Paige laughed. She checked her watch while Beth once again fidgeted with the cocktail menus.

  “There’s not much left to do here,” Paige said. “Why don’t you get back to Big Sky and get yourself ready?”

  Beth had taken the day off from the bakery to help out, but it looked like Paige was right. Everything was under control, and it would be such a luxury to spend ages getting ready…

  “Ok, you twisted my arm.” She winked. “If you— Paige?”

  Paige’s face had suddenly turned red, her green eyes narrowing. “What is he doing here? He didn’t sign up.”

  Beth looked around to see Mason Decker walk through the doors. She hadn’t seen him since their dinner date, but she felt no awkwardness when he walked in.

  They’d both known there was nothing between them. And frankly, Beth had been so preoccupied with her conversation with Josh after the date with Mason that she hadn’t even realised they hadn’t talked since.

  “Maybe he’s here to ask you out again,” Paige said, still sending some seriously angry side-eye Mason’s way.

  Beth snorted. “Hardly. It wasn’t exactly a match made in heaven. We didn’t have a lot to talk about.”

  Actually, now that Beth thought about it, Mason had spent a lot of time asking her about Paige. And there had been that weird moment between the two of them as Beth had come into the lounge that night.

  “He asked about you, you know,” she said casually, watching Paige closely.

  Her friend’s eyes snapped to her. “He did? What did he say?” She didn’t exactly look happy about it.

  “Oh, not much.” Beth shrugged. “Ju
st asked about the library and your work there.” She paused before continuing in the same causal tone. “And if you were seeing anybody. Stuff like that.”

  Paige’s mouth dropped open, and Beth was sure she saw a glimmer of interest in her green eyes. But then the scowl returned.

  “He wants to buy the library,” she spat now, shocking Beth. “I didn’t say anything because we were concentrating on this, but he told me that he’s interested in developing the land, whatever the heck that means. And then Brooke told me Damon was asking her about it at the wedding!”

  Damon had approached Brooke at the wedding, now that Beth thought about it. Right before she’d run away from Josh…

  Ugh. She was hopeless. Even with the shocking news that Mason wanted to destroy the library, still her mind wandered to Josh Larson!

  Paige looked so upset though, that Beth was able to push the doctor from her mind.

  “Can he do that?” she asked, reaching out and gripping Paige’s hand.

  “I don’t know,” Paige answered miserably. “The library is always in trouble. You know that. But — it’s so important, Beth! And I love it. I love working there, and volunteering. I just — I don’t know how I can stop it if he really wants it. He doesn’t exactly seem like the type of man who’s used to losing.”

  Beth frowned across at Mason, chatting with Chase, whose band would play tonight.

  “We’ll figure something out. Don’t worry about it.” Beth turned back to Paige with a reassuring smile. “Just look at what you did here in only a couple of weeks, for something you’re not even that interested in! Imagine what you’ll be able to do when you set your mind to saving the library.”

  Paige looked slightly mollified, and Beth was able to leave her reasonably happy so she could get back to the ranch and get ready for that evening.

  Her phone beeped just as she pulled her truck into the garage adjoining the big house. Looking down, she saw a reminder about tonight’s party along with her registration number and instructions to look out for her match.

  Number 107.

  She hoped it would be lucky.