The Last-Chance Maverick

by Christyne Butler

  That was how he’d found out Vanessa been doing similar sketches of many of the locals and about the afternoon program she ran here at the community center on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday afternoons.

  He knew they had to talk about what happened last night and he’d waited all day for her to show up at the resort, but she hadn’t. Some of the crew had given him some good-natured ribbing about being in the bar last night with Vanessa, so maybe that’s what she was trying to avoid?

  Glancing at his watch again, he rubbed at his jaw feeling the day’s growth of his beard and wondered if he should’ve gone home first to shower and shave.

  Then he wondered if he was too early, maybe the class lasted longer than what his mother had said, but the front doors of the center opened and a stream of kids and adults came out.

  He waited until most had either driven or walked away before getting out of his truck. He headed up the front steps, his architectural eye appreciating how the building fit in so well with the rest of the businesses here on North Main Street. A few of them, like Crawford’s General Store on the opposite corner, had been around almost since Rust Creek Falls was first founded back in the late 1800s.

  There was an office off the lobby, but it was empty. Straight ahead was the main room, a large space with a stage that could be used for any community event, which was the purpose of the building he guessed, but no Vanessa.

  “Excuse me.” He spotted a teenage girl in the corner of the room, doing something with a large bulletin board. “Can you tell me where I can find Vanessa Brent?”

  “Sure.” She pointed with one hand, never taking her eyes off her project. “Go back out to the main hall, head for the right side of the building and follow the music.”

  “Okay, thanks.” He turned, but then thought about what she’d said. “Wait, did you say music? I thought she taught an art class.”

  “She does. Trust me, listen for the tunes and you’ll find her.”

  Following her directions, Jonah started down a long sun-filled hallway, passing a number of closed doors before the strains of a Frank Sinatra song caught his attention.

  He came up to the large windows that allowed visitors to see inside the room, spotting Vanessa right away. With her back to him, she rocked her hips back and forth in time with the swing tune as she moved around a bunch of pint-size tables, picking up art supplies and pushing in miniature chairs.

  She was again wearing those same stretchy leggings that had captured his attention yesterday, this time a bright blue color. The same ankle boots were on her feet while an oversize man’s dress shirt splattered with every color of the rainbow covered her past her backside, but the sleeves were rolled back showing off her jewelry. Her hair was a wild array of curls, but held back off her face with a hair band the same color as her pants.

  The same kick in the gut he’d felt when he’d first saw her—hell, every time he’d run into her yesterday—nearly knocked him over again. When he reached the open doorway, he paused and leaned against it, using the time to get his breathing under control and enjoy the show.

  She moved around the room with ease, singing along with Old Blue Eyes questioning what really was a lost last love, as she stacked papers, tossed garbage and filled a nearby sink with dirty paintbrushes.

  When she dropped something, she didn’t just bend over and pick it up, but twisted to the floor, her hips never stopping as her boots easily moved across the tiled flooring. She rose and spun around in one motion, coming to a complete stop when she finally spotted him.

  “Jonah!”

  He smiled, liking that this time he was the one doing the surprising. “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you, but I didn’t want to interrupt your duet with Frank.”

  “Jeez, you heard me?” She placed the stuff in her hands on the counter and turned down the portable electronic device sitting between a set of miniature speakers. “Please tell me you just showed up.”

  “No, and I think the whole building heard you.”

  Instead of being embarrassed, she only laughed. “Boy, I need to remember to close the door and drop the blinds once the kids head out.”

  “You play swing music while the kids are here?”

  “Sure do. And anything else that comes up on the playlist. We’ve got everyone from Bon Jovi to Katy Perry to The Muppets. All preselected and screened for young ears.”

  He straightened and entered, noticing the area in the back of the room was floor to ceiling bookcases, some with doors and others open shelving, filled with every kind of art supply imaginable. Another wall was an oversize corkboard where the prized artwork of her students was on display. “Wow, this is quite a setup you’ve got here.”

  “Thanks, I’m pretty proud of it.” She looked around, her expressive face reflecting her words as she moved to the sink and turned on the water. “They let me totally redo the room once I explained what I needed for the class. Hard to believe this used to be a stuffy conference room with wall-to-wall carpeting and a kitchenette.”

  “It’s good they had room in the budget.”

  “What?” She squirted liquid soap, filling the sink with bubbles. “Oh, no, I paid for it.”

  He looked around the room again, easily adding up the cost of the work needed, never mind the kid-size furniture. “You paid for the entire renovation? What about the ongoing supplies needed?”

  She shrugged. “It was my idea for the class in the first place.” She smiled and waved a soapy finger at him. “Be careful what you volunteer for.”

  Here she was surprising him again. He stared at her, his gaze taking in all of her from her curls to her boots, the few feet separating them suddenly made her seem far away. “That’s very generous.”

  She returned his appraisal, then abruptly turned and faced the sink. “I’ve got connections for great discounts on the art stuff. So, what brings you to the community center this afternoon?”

  He crossed the room, joining her at the counter. “You. I was hoping— I thought I’d see you at the resort today.”

  She kept her gaze on the items she’d washed, rinsed and set to dry on a nearby rack. “Why? I told you last night I haven’t even started on the design for the mural yet.”

  “And you said you had plans for today.” He remembered her asking about the nearby ski resort. “Did you make it over to BearTrap Mountain?”

  “No, I didn’t even get out of bed until almost noon.” She shook back her curls and finally looked at him. “I had a tough time getting to sleep last night.”

  Pulling in a deep breath, he took in the tangy odors of clay, paint, wet paper towels and the same flowery scent of hers he’d discovered while they danced. While they kissed. “Yeah, me, too.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “I wanted to see you today so I could apologi—”

  “Don’t say that.” His words disappeared when she slapped a soapy hand over his mouth. “ Don’t you dare apologize for any part of last night.”

  He pulled her hand away and wiped at his mouth, the taste on his lips made him cringe, reminding him of a few times in his childhood when the threat of washing out his mouth with a bar of soap truly came to pass.

  Vanessa’s eyes grew wide. She snatched her hand back to her chest. “Oh! I’m so sorry! There’s a water fountain in the back.”

  He found it quickly, having to bend almost in half to reach it, but rinsed away the residue with the cool liquid. Rising back to his full height he found Vanessa standing there, fresh paper towels in her hand. “Thanks.”

  “I really am sorry. I didn’t think...”

  He grinned after wiping at his mouth. “Yeah, I figured that out pretty quickly.”

  “So now I’m the one apologizing to you, but only for my soapy mishap.” She took a step closer, and laid a hand on his chest. “Not last night. I’m gl
ad you showed up at the bar, glad you danced with me, let me take you home and—”

  This time he silenced her, but with just one finger pressed to her lips. She could’ve stepped away and continued talking, but she went still beneath his touch.

  “Even though you don’t kiss on the first date?” he asked.

  “It wasn’t a date.”

  He dropped his hand, the apology he’d practiced in his truck on the way here listing all the reasons why the kiss they’d shared had been wrong—how tired he’d been, they were working together, he wasn’t looking to get involved—vanished from his thoughts.

  “Are you busy tomorrow?” he asked instead.

  She shook her head.

  “Would you like to check out that resort? We could head over in the afternoon—”

  “How about ten a.m.?”

  He smiled. “Okay, ten o’clock. I’ll drive.”

  A mock look of hurt crossed her pretty face. “Are you saying you don’t like my truck?”

  “I’m saying I want to make sure we get there in one piece. And why so early?”

  She beamed a bright smile at him. “Oh, there’s an...exhibition there I want to check out.”

  “Anything I might be interested in?” he asked.

  She offered a casual shrug as she stepped back, but he caught a mischievous sparkle in those big brown eyes. “Maybe. How do you feel about flying?”

  Chapter Five

  She had to be kidding. Zip-lining? That’s what Vanessa had been talking about yesterday when she quizzed him on flying?

  They had arrived at BearTrap Mountain, a no-frills ski resort an hour’s drive north of Kalispell, fifteen minutes ago. Wandering through the main lodge, a simple structure of glass and concrete that was surprisingly busy for an early October Saturday, they found the ski lifts were operating, taking leaf peepers up to the summit to view the beautiful fall foliage. There were also plenty of signs pointing to hiking and mountain biking trails.

  When they reached the large open area of the lodge that would be swamped with skiers in another month or so, Jonah had been busy comparing the space to what the resort in Rust Creek Falls would need, not noticing Vanessa had wandered off until she returned with a piece of paper, claiming she needed his signature.

  “I have to sign a waiver in order to do this?” he asked.

  “Of course. They take safety very seriously, but still...”

  “Are you sure you want to try this?” He pushed when Vanessa’s voice trailed off.

  “Are you kidding? To feel like you’re flying among the clouds? Look at the video and the pictures.” She pointed at a desk area that showed the adventure that awaited them in full color. “Doesn’t it look like fun?”

  Jonah sighed, still not believing he’d allowed her to rope him—literally—into this. “Okay, let’s go.”

  Giving a little squeal of delight, Vanessa lifted on her tiptoes and planted a quick kiss on his cheek before she headed for the sign-up desk. Jonah followed her, wondering if that was considered a real kiss, especially since she’d made it clear that was something she didn’t do on first dates.

  After sitting through a discussion on safety and equipment procedures, they were given helmets and got fitted in a harness with straps that made certain parts of his anatomy a bit uncomfortable. Thank goodness he’d worn jeans and boots today.

  They were put in a group with a family with three young boys, a duo of teenagers and a honeymooning couple around about the same age as him and Vanessa.

  “How long have you two been together?” the recent bride asked as they sat in the back of a tram that would transport them up to the mountain for the start of the tour.

  “Oh, we’re not—”

  “This is our first date.” Jonah leaned forward, cutting off Vanessa as he grabbed her hand. “Her idea.”

  The couple grinned at them. “First time zip-lining, as well?” the husband asked.

  When the two of them nodded, he said, “Well, if you can make it through this, anything after will be a breeze.”

  “Thanks a lot.” Vanessa turned to look at Jonah, concern on her face for the first time.

  “Hey, you wanted to do this.” Jonah reminded her with a grin. “I was just about to suggest a nice, smooth ride up on the ski lift.”

  They reached their starting point and headed off into the woods, their guide pointing out the local flora and fauna as they hiked. Soon they reached the first sky bridge, where Vanessa surprised him by agreeing to be the first one in line after the lead guide. Jonah moved into place behind her as they walked across, tethered to a safety cable. He had to admit the scenery was beautiful.

  As long as one kept their eyes on the trees and not the ground below. The platform was sixty feet up in the treetops.

  “Oh, wasn’t that the most amazing thing ever?” Vanessa said as they waited for the rest of their group to join them.

  “I think I’ll save amazing for what’s next. The first zip line.” Jonah pointed at the metal cable to their left. “You going first again?”

  “Unless you want to,” Vanessa said, her eyes bright with laughter.

  “Oh, no. Ladies first.”

  “Chicken,” she said, teasing him.

  “No, I’d rather you not be here to see me lose my man card when I have to shut my eyes before taking the initial step off into nothingness.”

  “Don’t worry.” She leaned in close, her hand giving his biceps a quick squeeze. “Your manhood status is guaranteed with me.”

  And right then he wanted to kiss her—personal rules be damned—but the platform was crowded as everyone had made it across the bridge.

  The boys wanted to be first down the zip line, so he and Vanessa went after the family, with Vanessa again going ahead of him. She stepped right off and let out a “yee-haw” all the way down. Jonah was so impressed with her spirit, he did the same, enjoying the rush as his body zoomed through the trees.

  The rest of their two-hour tour went quickly, with everyone taking turns at being the first ones to go at each new station. The last zip line was a dual line, and it was Jonah and Vanessa’s turn to go last. The newlyweds went just before them, with the bride declaring it a race just before she stepped off ahead of her husband.

  “If winning makes her happy, then I’m happy,” he said, waiting a second more before heading down.

  Jonah watched as Vanessa stepped up to the platform next to his, both of them clipping on their harnesses at the same time.

  “So, are we going to race, too?” he asked.

  “I don’t know. What does the winner get?”

  Jonah had quite a few ideas, but he just shrugged and said, “Whatever they want.”

  Her answering smile could only be called sassy. “Oh, game on.”

  * * *

  Damn, his body ached from his eyebrows to his feet.

  Dropping his tools, Jonah stood and stretched, raising his arms high over his head, feeling the aching protest of muscles he hadn’t worked in years.

  Whoever said weekends were for kicking back and relaxing hadn’t been from his hometown. He’d been on the go since yesterday morning. First, a day on a mountain with Vanessa, and today he was working alongside his brothers mending a fence line until...

  Well, until later.

  During the past three hours of backbreaking work, which included replacing damaged posts, untangling and stretching yards of barbed wire and replacing missing staples, Jonah and his brothers had fallen into a familiar rhythm. They stayed focused on their work, talking only when it was related to the task at hand. But he could tell both of them had been chomping at the bit to get at him.

  About Vanessa.

  “You know, I bet spending the afternoon doing ranch work is nothing compared to daily trips to
some fancy, expensive gym.”

  And there was the first volley.

  Derek’s voice came from behind him. Jonah lowered his arms, turned around and found his brothers had stopped working and were at the truck, taking a break. He yanked off his gloves and rubbed at the red spots on his hands where new calluses were sure to form.

  “You’re right.” Shoving the gloves into a back pocket, he walked over to them. “Eight miles a day on a treadmill and lifting weights is fun, but this is real work. And you two are as good—no, better—at it than I remember.”

  His younger brother seemed amazed by Jonah’s praise. He meant every word. His ass was dragging and they still had at least two more hours to go. Still, he was glad to see the two of them were as sweaty and dirty as him.

  “You’ve got a right to be tired.” Eli filled a plastic tumbler with water from the cooler sitting on the tailgate and handed it to him. “You hit the ground running the moment you got home three days ago. Even working on Saturdays? I noticed your truck was gone most of the day.”

  Jonah froze, the refreshing liquid halfway to his mouth. He had gone over to the resort yesterday afternoon for an hour or so after his adventurous day with Vanessa. Did that mean his brothers thought he’d been there all day?

  “Don’t let him fool you, man. His truck headed east past the barn yesterday morning before he eventually left the ranch. There’s nothing down that way except cattle, horses, the creek.” Derek paused, as if deep in thought. “Oh, yeah and his cabin. Or should I say Vanessa’s cabin.”

  “Really?” Eli grinned and winked at him. “So, does your artist know she’s sleeping in your custom-made bed yet?”

  “If she didn’t before, she probably does now,” Derek deadpanned, grabbing one of the sandwiches their mother had packed for them.