The Man Behind the Pinstripes

by Melissa McClone

  The words made him cringe. Becca would never take a dog to a place like that. She would rather care for them herself.

  The way she’d taken care of Grams’s dogs and Grams and Courtney and...

  Him.

  His mouth went dry. He picked up his water glass and drank. It didn’t help. He took another sip. The funny feeling in the pit of his stomach only worsened.

  What had he done?

  He’d been so worried about taking on one more responsibility, but he shouldn’t have been. Becca had been taking care of all of them, especially him, from the day he met her.

  He’d been wrong about her past.

  He was wrong about her.

  But he couldn’t see that until sitting here with a woman who on paper should have been perfect for him, but wasn’t.

  Not Madeline’s fault. She was too much like Cassandra and totally different from...

  Becca.

  Tomorrow he would go to her. Apologize. Ask for a second chance.

  All he had to do was survive the camera and the rest of his dream date. He hoped that the rest of the evening didn’t turn into a nightmare.

  * * *

  The next morning Caleb arrived at the estate and rang the doorbell.

  Mrs. Harrison opened the door. “Your grandmother is in her bedroom.”

  “What about Becca?”

  “I believe she’s on her way to a dog show.”

  Damn. That would complicate talking with her. He entered Grams’s room to find her packing. “Where are you going?”

  “Enumclaw, Washington.” She folded a pink T-shirt. “Big dog show. We have a vendor booth for our products.”

  “Is Becca going to be there?”

  “She left yesterday in the RV with the dogs and her parents. I’m meeting her there later today.” Grams stopped packing. “How was your dream date last night? Did you find your perfect woman?”

  The sarcasm in Grams’s voice was clear. Caleb took a deep breath. “I won’t be asking the winner out again, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “At least you haven’t lost all your brain cells.” Grams returned to packing. “Before I forget, I need you to schedule a week’s vacation. I’ll give a range of dates to your assistant before I head out.”

  “Why?”

  “Your birthday present.”

  “My birthday isn’t until January.”

  “With your schedule, I need to plan ahead.”

  “Where am I going?”

  “A navy SEAL training camp.”

  His heart skipped two beats. He could barely breathe. He’d always wanted to attend one. He had the money, but not the time. He’d also never told anyone he wanted to go, not even Ty. “How did you...?”

  “I buy your gift in the summer, since your birthday is close to Christmas. That way I make sure it’s different. Special.”

  “But SEAL training?” he forced the question from his dry throat.

  “Becca. It was her idea, “ Grams said. “I wasn’t sure about it.”

  “It’s the perfect gift.”

  “That’s what Becca said.”

  Becca.

  Of course she would be the one to suggest the gift. She knew him, really and truly knew him.

  And she was exactly the woman he needed.

  He’d been such a fool. An idiot.

  I learned my lesson. I’m not going to try to be someone I’m not ever again.

  No wonder hearing that list had hurt Becca so much. Caleb had known what she’d gone through with Whit, but he’d been thinking only about Fair Face and himself. Not how hearing the list of his perfect qualifications would affect and hurt Becca. She was correct, he didn’t deserve her.

  But he loved her. He wanted her back.

  His chest tightened with regret.

  Becca was the one for him.

  He should have screamed her name during his interview, not gone along with someone else’s script for his life and taken another woman on a dream date. He should have held on to Becca with both hands, not let her walk out of his office and out of his life. He should have told her she was his perfect woman, not let her think she wasn’t.

  “Grams...”

  She walked to his side and touched his face. “You’re pale as a ghost.”

  He was so used to taking care of everyone, but he hadn’t taken care of Becca. Not the way she’d taken care of him. “I’ve made a big mistake. The biggest mistake of my life.”

  “With Becca?”

  Caleb nodded. He had always done what was expected of him. He’d put his own dreams aside. He’d put his life on hold. He’d hurt someone he cared about because that was what everyone expected him to do.

  No longer.

  Becca had been right. He’d been following a script. That was easier than risking his heart only to be hurt again.

  He was in the doghouse, but he was willing to beg, to perform tricks, to do whatever was needed to be a part of her life. She didn’t need him. But he needed her. Her smile, her sense of humor, her love.

  Grams smiled. “So how do you intend on fixing it?”

  * * *

  Becca walked out of Ring Five with Hunter’s leash in one hand and a Best of Winners—the prize for a dog still working on his championship ribbon—in the other. The sun beat down, but the beagle didn’t seem to mind. She couldn’t wait to remove her suit jacket.

  Gertie stood, her hands clasped together and a bright smile on her face.

  Becca handed off the ribbon. “He needs one more major and he’s a champion.”

  “So proud of both of you.”

  “Thanks.” The word sounded flat. Becca couldn’t help it. Normally she would be thrilled with the win, bouncing on her toes and tingling with excitement, but it was all she could do to keep her feet moving and not retreat to the RV to nap.

  Maybe some caffeine would help. She’d been living off coffee lately.

  Heaven knew she needed something to get her out of this funk. She couldn’t quite shake her sadness. She’d tried pushing Caleb out of her thoughts. She’d succeeded somewhat, but she couldn’t get him out of her heart.

  At least not yet.

  The feeling would pass. Someday. Someday soon she hoped.

  But she was better off having met Caleb. He’d shown her what she wanted and didn’t want.

  “Let’s go see how your parents are doing at the booth.” Gertie had hired Becca’s parents to sell the products at dog shows and fill online orders. “I also want to show off Hunter’s ribbon.”

  They walked along the row of vendor booths, tables and displays set up under pop-up canopies that provided shade.

  “Your parents have company at the booth,” Gertie said.

  Becca was pleased by how much her parents enjoyed talking to dog owners about the products. Gertie called them “natural salespeople.” Maybe so, but Becca also knew they were friendly hard workers who didn’t want to disappoint Gertie or their daughter. “Customers are a good thing.”

  “I don’t think this one is interested in dog products.”

  Becca looked over and froze.

  Caleb.

  Her heart tumbled. She couldn’t breathe.

  “What’s he doing here?” she asked, her voice shaking as much as her insides.

  “Let’s find out.”

  “No.” Becca’s feet were rooted to the pavement. She couldn’t have moved. Even if she were being chased by vampires or brain-eating zombies or ax-wielding murderers, she would be eaten or slain where she stood. “You go.”

  She stared at him in his khakis and polo shirt. She could only see his backside, but every nerve ending tingled as if she’d touched a live wire and sent a jolt of electricity through her.
r />   Gertie pulled on Becca’s arm. “Come on. You’re no coward.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  Gertie gave a not-so-gentle shove. “Chin up and move those feet, girlie.”

  Becca moved. It was either that or fall over. With each step, an imaginary boom, like a timpani, echoed through her. “I can’t—”

  “Yes, you can,” Gertie encouraged. “One step in front of the other.”

  Becca crossed the aisle toward their booth. Lightheaded and stomach churning, she thought passing out was a distinct possibility. At least in that case, she wouldn’t have to face him.

  “Caleb,” Gertie said.

  He turned. Smiled.

  Becca went numb.

  “Hello,” he said, as if his being at a dog show in a different state was to be expected.

  She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

  He looked at Becca with warm, clear eyes. “I missed you.”

  Her heart slammed against her ribs. Anger surged. “Is this some kind of joke?”

  “No joke.” Caleb motioned to the booth. “Looks like the products are selling thanks to your top-notch sales force.”

  Becca’s parents smiled at her.

  She stared at Caleb, her temper spiraling out of control. “You discard me like garbage. Hurt my feelings worse than anyone, which is saying a lot. Then show up here as if nothing had happened. Unbelievable.”

  Tension sizzled in the air. People glanced her way, but kept walking. Two dogs barked at each other.

  “You’re right.” He sounded contrite, but that didn’t make her feel any better. “You’ve always been right.”

  Okay, she hadn’t been expecting that.

  “I am here. I don’t blame you if you don’t want to talk to me, but I hope you’ll hear me out.”

  A beat passed. And another. “Five minutes.”

  He pulled her to one side and glanced at his watch. “I was getting too attached to you. I was distracted at work. I was happier with you than my own family. That scared me. You scared me. I was too afraid to take a risk. Too afraid you might be the one to break me. So I played it safe. Too safe. And I lost the one person I need most in my life. The one person who understands me. The one person who makes me stronger. You took care of me in a way no one else had. I miss that. I miss you.”

  The air rushed from her lungs. A lump burned in her throat. Tears stung her eyes. She couldn’t think. She couldn’t speak.

  “You’re amazing, unique and everything I didn’t realize I wanted until you came into my life, and then I stupidly let you go,” he continued. “I’m sorry for the crappy way I treated you. I was no better than that idiot Whit. But I apologize. For doing the asinine interview and agreeing to the contest. For not telling you and then breaking up the way that I did. I don’t blame you for not loving me after all I’ve done, but I love you. And if there’s any way you could find it in your heart to forgive me, I’ll make it up to you. I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”

  She forced herself to breathe. “That’s why you came here?”

  He nodded. “I was going to go crazy if I had to spend another day without seeing you.”

  Her heart melted. She knew better, but it didn’t matter.

  “I think I have at least another two minutes. Maybe three.” His eyes were earnest, his voice sincere. “Do I stand a chance?”

  She wanted to say no. She wanted to tell him to go. She wanted to move on without him.

  His smile practically caressed her.

  But her heart wanted something different. Wanted him.

  “For as long as I can remember I’ve been trying to prove myself. If I did that, then I thought I could be accepted.” Becca took a deep breath. “But Gertie encouraged me. Then you. I realized I didn’t have to do anything special. I had to accept who I was and the rest would happen.”

  “It’s happening.”

  Becca could feel it. Acceptance. Joy. Love.

  “I forgive you.” The way she’d finally forgiven herself for her past mistakes. “I’m ready to try a relationship, but I want the man beneath the pinstripes. The guy who grew up wanting to be a navy SEAL.”

  “He’s yours.” Caleb kissed her forehead. “But I don’t want to try anything. I know the right woman, the perfect woman, for me.”

  He dropped down on one knee.

  Becca gasped.

  Caleb held her hand. “Will you marry me, Becca? Be my wife and partner and dog whisperer?”

  Maurice trotted toward Becca. Her father held one end of the long leash. The dog came closer. A white ribbon was tied to his collar. Hanging from the ribbon was a...ring.

  Her throat tightened. “You’re serious.”

  Caleb nodded. “I asked your dad’s permission.”

  Based on her parents’ beaming faces, Caleb had no doubt received approval and been offered help with the proposal.

  “So what do you say?” he said.

  “I come with baggage.”

  “You also come with lint brushes,” he said. “A fair trade-off in my book.”

  That was all she needed to hear. Know.

  “Yes.” Happiness flowed through her. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  He removed the ring from Maurice’s collar. The entire gold band was inlaid with tiny diamonds. In the center were bigger diamonds in the shape of a dog’s paw. “I thought a large diamond would get in the way of all the things you have to do with the dogs. If you’d rather have—”

  “This is perfect. I can’t tell you how perfect.”

  He slid the ring onto her finger. “I love you.”

  “I love you.”

  He kissed her gently on the lips.

  Maurice barked.

  “Think he’s jealous?” Caleb asked.

  She glanced at the sparkling ring, then back at him. “No, that’s his bark of approval.”

  “Let’s give him more to approve of.”

  Caleb lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. Hard.

  Joy flowed through Becca, from the top of her head to the tip of her toes. The Boise Bachelor of the Year was off the market and would be ineligible to win ever again. But his kiss definitely deserved the prize for Best in Show. The first of many.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Little Cowgirl on His Doorstep by Donna Alward

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  CHAPTER ONE

  HE HAS A face that could frighten small children.

  That was the first thing that sprang to Avery Spencer’s mind as she stared up at the imposing figure of Callum Shepard. With his stubbled face and long tangle of hair, he didn’t look anything like the clean-cut, charismatic groomsman she’d met just over a year ago. And definitely not the image of a doting dad, she thought with dismay. He stood with feet spread wide, one broad hand splayed on the edge of the door, glowering down at her like she’d committed a cardinal sin.

  Except if anyone was the sinner her
e, it was him. And she reminded herself of that fact to keep from being intimidated—as surely that was his intent. She felt the first tiny trickle of sweat sneak down her spine in the cloying summer heat. Everyone always said Alberta was a dry heat, but that sure wasn’t keeping her shirt from sticking to her back. It made her shift uncomfortably just at the moment she needed to be in absolute control. This could go so wrong in so many ways....

  “What do you want?” he asked sharply.

  Apparently he had also acquired the manners of a boor. How lovely. For a brief second Avery considered that making this trip might have been a colossal mistake. But then she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. No, it had been the right thing to do. At least after today there would no longer be any secrets or lies. She wouldn’t spend the rest of her life looking over her shoulder wondering what would happen if he ever found out about Nell. Far better to face it head-on and get it over with.

  Besides, when it came down to brass tacks, Avery really believed that Nell deserved to know both parents. She swallowed, battling against the familiar wave of grief whenever she thought of her sister, Crystal. In this case, Nell deserved to get to know the one true parent she had left. Callum.

  “You don’t remember me, do you, Mr. Shepard?”

  His dark brows pulled together. “Should I?”

  That stung. After all, she remembered him, and he’d looked far different the last time she’d seen him, which was one year, one month and...what, five days ago? Not that she was counting, mind you. Back then his hair had been precisely cut, his face clean-shaven and he’d been wearing a suit with a single white rose in the lapel. Avery’s tongue snuck out and licked across her dry lips. She knew that because the moment he’d stepped into the hotel suite she’d looked up and her mouth had gone dry and her palms sweaty. Callum Shepard had been gorgeous. And when he’d smiled, her stomach had gone all swirly.

  Even when he’d looked right past Avery and his gaze had fallen on her sister.

  Now his hair hung in straggly waves down to his collar, he looked as if he hadn’t shaved in two days and his plaid shirt was only half tucked into old jeans. And smile? More like permanent scowl. The change was remarkable—and disheartening considering the circumstances. Not to mention incredibly intimidating.