by SJ McCoy
“I can get you up for whatever time you need to go. I can go into work whenever I’m ready. You could text Elle to let her know where you are and … I buy my toothbrushes in four packs, so I have a spare one.”
She held his gaze for a long moment. “Are you asking me to stay?”
“I am. I want to hold you while you sleep, and I want to see your beautiful face when I wake up.”
“Aww. Well, since you’re turning out to be a bit of a sweet talker yourself, I will. I’ll need to text Elle, though.”
“Do you want me to fetch your purse?”
“Aww, thanks.” She glanced at the bathroom. “I’ll go brush my teeth.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Good morning!” Elle called the moment Teresa stepped into the salon. She already had a client in her chair.
Teresa tried to hide her smile, but knew she wasn’t doing a very good job of it.
“Morning.”
“There’s coffee in the back.”
“Thanks. Do you want one?” At least she didn’t have to worry about her daughter’s disapproval; Elle was beaming.
“I’ll be right in.”
Teresa went into the breakroom and set her purse on the table before she poured herself a mug of coffee. She still had ten minutes before Izzy was due to arrive.
Elle came in just as she was sitting down. “Before you give me a hard time, remember that I’m too magical.” She grinned and held up her mug. It had a cute little unicorn on the front with ‘I’m too magical for your bullshit’ emblazoned beside it.
Elle laughed. “I promise I won’t give you a hard time.” She grasped her hands together and held them to her chest with a big silly grin on her face. “I’m bursting here. But I know I shouldn’t ask, and I don’t know what to say but … ?”
Teresa had to laugh. “I’m just happy that you’re not mad at me. I would have let you know I wasn’t coming earlier if I’d known myself. I didn’t like sending you a text in the middle of the night like that.”
Elle waved a hand at her. “It’s fine. I wouldn’t have been worried even if you hadn’t texted at all. I knew you were safe. You were with Cal!”
“You like him, don’t you?”
“He’s wonderful, Mom! He’s the best guy you’ve ever been out with. And he’s a million times better than Dad.”
“Elle! You shouldn’t say that.”
“My momma taught me to never tell a lie.”
Teresa made a face. She didn’t think it was right for a girl to talk about her father like that, but she could hardly deny that she agreed.
“Anyway, let’s stick with the good stuff. Did you have a good time?” Elle waggled her eyebrows.
Teresa had to laugh. “I had a very good time.”
“The best time ever?”
She laughed again. “Honestly? Yes! But I really don’t think this is a conversation that we should be having.”
“Neither do I, but I can’t help it. I’m thrilled for you, Mom. I really am. I think he’s great and I hope this goes somewhere.”
Teresa nodded.
“Is it going somewhere?”
She smiled.
“Tell me! Did he ask you out? Like to be his girlfriend? Is that even a thing at your age?”
She had to laugh. “I think that would be weird at our age.”
“So, he didn’t? I guess you don’t need that, do you? It’s not like you need that to make it official.”
It dawned on Teresa that Cal, being who he was, had needed to make it official in his own way. “He asked if he could be my man.”
Elle put both hands over her heart and sighed. “Aww! He’s awesome! You’d better be good to him, Mom. You’ve got yourself a real catch there. He’ll have women lining up to get their hands on him if you let him get away.”
Teresa made a face. “He is wonderful, but he thinks I’m a catch, too.”
“You are! I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know.” Teresa knew she meant well, but for the first time it occurred to her that Elle was right. Cal could have any woman he snapped his fingers at—not that he was a finger snapper, but … No. She wasn’t going down that road. He could no doubt have his choice of the ladies, but he hadn’t chosen one in years by the sound of it. Now, he’d chosen her, and she wasn’t going to second-guess it. She was just going to choose him right back.
They both turned at the sound of the doorbell. “That’ll be Izzy; we’d better get out there.”
~ ~ ~
“What time do you call this?”
Cal stopped dead in the doorway to his office. Ryan was sitting in his chair with his hands folded behind his head and his feet up on the desk.
He turned at the sound of a laugh from the corner. Manny was sitting in the easy chair with his feet up on the coffee table.
Cal scowled at both of them. “Haven’t you asked me every day since I’ve been here to work fewer hours? This is the first day I come in at nine-thirty, and you’re waiting to ambush me the second I arrive. What’s your problem?”
Ryan pushed back from the desk and got up with a grin. “Don’t go all badass on us. It’s called teasing. You remember how that works?”
Cal didn’t succeed at hiding his smile. Teresa liked to tease him, too. She’d teased him while he made her breakfast this morning—about cleaning up after himself as he went.
Manny got up, too, and came to stand beside him. “You need to get used to how small towns work, old friend. News of you dropping Teresa off at her house this morning arrived here about fifteen minutes before you did.”
Cal blew out a sigh. “I should have known.”
“You should, boss,” said Ryan. “You’re the one who taught me that you can’t expect to keep your private life secret.”
Cal frowned. “I’m not trying to keep it a secret. I have nothing to hide.”
Ryan raised an eyebrow at Manny. “You were right, then?”
“About what?” Cal knew better than to let them draw him in, but he couldn’t help it.
“I might have mentioned a hunch I have.”
“What hunch? What are you predicting now?” Cal was surprised to feel his pulse quicken. They were only teasing him, but he knew Manny’s hunches usually panned out with uncanny accuracy. He was hoping that this one would line up with his own hopes—hopes that if he were honest, he planned to keep secret for a while yet. He didn’t want to scare Teresa off, and he didn’t want Ryan and Manny to … to what? They’d both gone down this road. They’d both fallen in love and had plans to marry soon. Perhaps they’d be more inclined to help him out than ridicule him?
Manny was smiling at him. “Are you sure you want to know?”
“No. I’m not sure I do.”
“It’s a good one,” Ryan assured him. “You might like it.”
Cal laughed. “I might. But if you don’t mind, since I’m already getting a late start on my day, I’d like to get to work. Do you guys ever do anything? Dan works his ass off. Leanne does too,” he smirked at Ryan, “and Donovan. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen either of you do any actual work yet.”
Ryan made a face at him. “I did a lot of the set up before you ever arrived. Now, we’re waiting to go live and for the contracts to start coming in.”
“Excuse me, guys.”
They all turned to see Donovan standing in the doorway. Cal liked him. He’d come up to the lake as Leanne’s assistant to work on the legal side, but whenever Cal talked to him, he was eager to learn every aspect of the business he could. He already knew enough to be useful on the cyber side and if Cal had to pick a civilian to help out in the field, Donovan would be his first choice of the guys available.
“Come on in.” Cal narrowed his eyes at Ryan. “These guys were just leaving. They have work to do, apparently.”
Donovan stood aside to let Manny and Ryan out before he came in. He looked nervous.
“Take a seat. Wha
t can I do for you?”
“I …” He hovered by the doorway. “I finally found myself a place to rent and I want to invite everyone over on Sunday afternoon. It’s nothing big or fancy or anything. But I thought it’d be good. You know, to get everyone together outside of work for once? I mean some of us guys hang out sometimes, but sometimes it feels like there’s a divide.”
“A divide?” Cal sensed he was trying to get at something, but he didn’t know what.
Donovan came in and sat down suddenly. “Do you mind if I just come straight out with it?”
“Go ahead. I’d prefer it.”
“Some of the cyber guys are scared of you. Ryan and Manny, too, a little. But mostly you. I think if this place is going to work the way we all want it to, then we need to be one big team who all trust each other and pull together.”
Cal pursed his lips. “Hm.”
Donovan raised an eyebrow. “Is that hm, interesting idea? Or hm, will anyone notice if I tear this minion limb from limb and dispose of him?”
Cal laughed out loud at that. “Damn. Is that the impression I give? That I’d do that?”
Donovan nodded emphatically. “You have to remember that you’re dealing with mere mortals here. Ryan and Manny already know you. Of course, the ladies all think you’re God’s gift, but to lowly programmers and lawyers you’re … intimidating.”
Cal had to smile. “I’m sorry. I don’t often think about what impression I give.”
Donovan nodded. “I sure as hell wouldn’t bring it up if I didn’t see it possibly becoming a hindrance when we get up and running around here. I can see it being an issue if one of the guys keeps quiet about something because they’re too scared to come and talk to you.”
“That’s a good point. I’m glad you’re raising it. Thanks, Donovan.”
Donovan smiled. “Thank you. I don’t mind telling you that I was scared to come talk to you. But I believe it’s important—important enough for me to man up and do it.”
“Well, I appreciate it. And I appreciate the invitation, too. Are you sure you want to use your housewarming as the occasion to do it, though? We could arrange something else.”
“I’ll be honest, I also want to do it for selfish reasons. I want to make this place my home—Summer Lake and the house. I like the idea of having everyone over.”
“Okay, then. Let’s do it.” Cal thought about it. “You say you all go out together on the weekends sometimes?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, why don’t you see about getting the guys to the Boathouse on Saturday night? I’m going with Manny and Ryan, and it might be a way to break the ice first in a more neutral environment before cramming them all into your place?”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll talk to them about it.” Donovan got to his feet. “Thanks, Mr. Callahan.”
Damn. Cal realized how little notice he’d taken of how the guys who worked here saw him. “Call me Cal. Hearing you say Mr. Callahan makes me want to look over my shoulder for my dad.”
Donovan smiled. “I’ll try but forgive me if it slips out now and then?”
“We’ll work on it.”
Once he’d gone, Cal fired up his computer and stared at the screen. He felt the same way Donovan did; he wanted to make this place his home. He wanted to bring the guys he worked with together as a team, and most of all, he wanted Teresa—he smiled, Terry—to share his life, and his home.
He took his cell phone out of his back pocket and set it on the desk. It was too soon to call her; he’d only dropped her off at home a little while ago. She’d be at work now. He smiled as he pictured her in the salon, remembering the first time he’d laid eyes on her in there.
He picked his phone back up. A quick text wouldn’t hurt.
Cal: I’ll come for you at five.
Want to have dinner with me afterward?
He stared at the screen wondering if she’d answer or if she’d be busy cutting hair.
Teresa: I’d love to.
He smiled as he looked at the screen. When he’d asked the question, he’d been thinking that they could have dinner at Four Mile Creek while they were over there, but he’d rather take her back to his place again. They could get takeout, or he could cook for her. He wasn’t so interested in dinner as he was in getting to spend the evening with her again—and the night. He pursed his lips. He wouldn’t know unless he asked.
Cal: The purple toothbrush is officially yours.
He smiled as he waited for her reply. Perhaps he should have just asked if she wanted to stay over but …
Teresa: Are you suggesting that I might want to use it again tomorrow morning?
He chuckled.
Cal: I’m hoping
Teresa: Oh, good! I was, too ;0)
Cal: I’ll see you at five then.
Teresa: See you later.
He set his phone back down with a big smile on his face, then grabbed it again when it beeped.
Teresa: There was still a green toothbrush left in the pack.
You could bring it with you tomorrow—if you want.
He grinned. He hadn’t expected that. She’d invited him to go over tomorrow night so that Elle could go out with her friends. He was looking forward to it and looking forward to seeing little Skye again. It hadn’t occurred to him that she might want him to stay, not with her daughter and her granddaughter there, but he didn’t have a problem with it if she didn’t.
Cal: I want.
He looked at the words before he hit send and as soon as he had, he knew he wanted to add more.
Cal: And I don’t just mean the toothbrush.
I want you. I want this. I want us.
He hit send before he had the chance to second guess himself. Then he held his breath while he waited. It took a couple minutes before her reply came in.
Teresa: Wow! Well, we did say we’re going to be honest with each other.
So, you should know that I want you. I want this. I want us, too.
He grinned as he read it. They’d both said what they needed to, but he didn’t want to leave her wondering what he thought of her reply. He’d never used one of those smiley face things in a message before, but he found them and scrolled through them. They were hardly his style. But he found one that wasn’t a face, just a heart. He glanced at the door before he hit send and then had to laugh at himself. He needed to get over the paranoia. Although he was thinking about Ryan and Manny teasing him, they weren’t, they weren’t the ones judging him—he was the only one doing that, and there was no need.
He laughed when her reply came back. He knew what the wink was about.
Teresa: Aww. And I wasn’t sure there was anything soft about you. ;0)
See you at 5.
Chapter Fifteen
“Where is this place?” Teresa asked.
“It’s down on the water—just a few houses down from Manny and Nina’s. Open the glovebox, the brochure’s in there.”
She opened it and took the brochure out but froze when she saw what was underneath it.
Cal glanced over at her. “Everything okay?”
“Err, yeah.” Her heart was hammering in her chest.
“What’s wrong?”
“What’s that for?”
“What?”
She pointed at the glovebox. “That. The gun. What … why?”
He blew out a sigh. “Sorry. I didn’t think. It’s … I’ve always carried. It was part of the job.”
“But you’re retired.”
“I am, but … Does it bother you?”
She thought about it. “Maybe not. It took me by surprise, that’s all. I don’t suppose it should have. I know you used to do dangerous work. I suppose I never really thought about it.”
He reached across and took hold of her hand. “It’s safe. I’m safe. I promise you.”
She laughed. “I don’t think you’re going to shoot me.”
He chuckled and
shook his head. “That’s good to know, but I didn’t mean that. I meant I’m responsible. It wouldn’t be in the glovebox if Skye were going to be in here. I keep it in a safe in the house.”
“There’s a safe in there?” It probably wasn’t the most pertinent question, but she was thrown off seeing that thing in there. She didn’t think she had a problem with it, but it did make her think about him differently. Not in a bad way. It just made her more aware of who he really was. What his life might have been like.
“There isn’t one in the rental where I’m living, but I have my own.”
She nodded as if she understood, but she didn’t really.
He squeezed her hand. “Is it a problem?”
“No.” She looked over at him. “I trust you. I know you’re responsible. I just … I need to wrap my head around it I suppose. It’s not something that’s ever been part of my experience. I mean … this is Summer Lake.”
He nodded but kept his eyes on the road ahead. “Think about it then ask me anything you want to know. It’s never been part of your experience, but it’s always been part of mine.”
“Okay. Anyway …” she held up the brochure and took a look. “Oh, my God! I love this place.” She laughed, wanting to lighten things back up. “I have to say Blake Callahan, you have the best taste.”
He chuckled. “I like to think so. I love the house. I love—” He stopped abruptly. “I found the most beautiful woman in town.”
Teresa’s heart pounded. It had sounded as though he was going to say he loved her, too. But no. He was hardly likely to say that. They were still just getting to know each other. He made it obvious that he liked her and that he wanted to explore a relationship with her, but it was a little too early to be talking about love. She wasn’t sure that he was that kind of guy anyway. She batted her eyelashes at him, “Why, thank you.”
He squeezed her hand. “It’s true.” He smiled. “I didn’t know what retirement was going to look like. But I’d never have guessed that it would be this good—that I’d get to live in a great little town like this, hopefully in a great house, with a wonderful woman.”
