by JoAnn Durgin
From what Hannah told her earlier in the evening, Jake and Nicole dated for a little more than a year before she moved to Des Moines for a job opportunity. Julia’s usually talkative brother clammed up and gave her nothing concrete except that Nicole also decided Jake wasn’t the right guy. When she’d questioned whether he couldn’t commit, had repulsive breath, or an offensive odor issue, a monstrous beast of a dog, or a horrible secret in his past, Dylan laughed, teased about her overactive imagination, and assured her it was nothing like that. Then he’d turned the tables on her when he said, “You sure are asking an awful lot of questions for an engaged woman, Jules.” He’d also given her a curious look when she said she’d go with him to drop Jake off at home instead of riding with Hannah and the kids.
She shifted in her seat to face Jake. “I saw how you interacted with the kids and fixed that little girl’s horse. It meant a lot to her. Tending to emotional wounds is every bit as important as trying to help heal physical wounds. From what I could see, you fixed a broken heart tonight.”
Dylan shook his head but thankfully said nothing.
Jake pushed farther up on the seat. “I like to help when I can.”
After knowing him only a few hours, Julia could tell the firefighter was beloved. She admired the citizens of tiny Starlight for their fierce protectiveness, and she’d witnessed the suspicious glances directed at Nicole earlier in the evening. The town ladies had circled Jake like mother hens, giving him one job after another to keep him occupied.
Dylan pulled into the driveway, and Jake climbed out. “Thanks for the ride.” Sticking his head back inside the car, he gave her a warm smile. “I’m glad you’ve come to keep your brother in line, Julia. I’m sure our paths will cross again while you’re here in town. ‘Night.”
Julia murmured a good-bye and watched as he headed toward the stairs leading to the front porch. His stooped posture hinted at serious pain. It could be her nursing instincts kicking into gear, but she wanted to help this man and take away his hurt. She’d been that way ever since finding three abandoned bunnies in her backyard when she was six. Two of them didn’t live long, but she took heart in the one that survived long enough to make it on its own. When she graduated from nursing school, Dylan claimed he knew all those years ago she’d become a nurse one day and called her a born nurturer.
Dylan shifted the car into reverse, startling her out of her reverie, but he hesitated when she put her hand on his arm. “Hang on. I’ll be right back.” Opening the door, she slid out of the seat and hurried around the front of the car.
“Jules…” Dylan’s tone was laced with frustration.
“Jake!” she called.
As he paused near the highest step, Jake’s expression revealed a combination of surprise and confusion. “It’s getting colder by the minute,” he said. “I don’t want you to get sick on my account. Please get back in the car and stay warm.” He climbed to the top, probably thinking she’d leave like any normal person, especially after he’d dismissed her.
Julia stood at the bottom of the stairs. She was making a fool of herself, but she didn’t care. “I rarely get sick. Must have something to do with being around germs all the time; it builds up my immunity.” She blew out a breath and crossed her arms. Keep going. “I…I wanted you to know I’ll be praying for you.”
Jake turned to face her. “Thanks. I appreciate that.” He tilted his head and raised a brow. “You mean about the injury?”
“That, too.” She nodded and swallowed hard, placing her hand above her heart. “And here.” She’d said more than enough and needed to leave before he figured out she was a complete lunatic. “Good night.”
“Julia?”
She looked up at him. “Yes?”
“I can see why you’re a nurse. Your patients…and Dylan,” he added with a small smile, “are mighty blessed.”
“Thank you.” She felt his gaze on her as she climbed back into the car.
“Well, I’m sure that was an interesting conversation,” Dylan said, his tone wry. “You gonna tell me?”
Underneath his flippancy, her brother could be uncommonly sensitive, not to mention perceptive.
“You like Jake, huh?”
She stared out the window, not answering, as Dylan drove them to his house a couple of miles away.
“You know, in a way, it’s a shame you’ve got a guy waiting for you back home ‘cause there’s a fine hero here in Starlight who—”
“Dylan, it’s late, and we’re both tired.” She closed her eyes, hoping he wouldn’t finish that sentence.
He tapped the steering wheel and sang under his breath, leaving her alone with her thoughts until he pulled into his driveway. “There’s an awful lot to be said for admitting when you’re wrong and telling the truth, Jules. You’ve always been one of the most honest people I know.” He chuckled. “You also got more than your share of the Sinclair intelligence genes. You can always talk to me—about anything. If you need me, I’m here. Hannah, too.”
Julia leaned into one of his incredibly comforting bear hugs, refusing to cry. “I know, and I love you for it. We’ll talk soon. Promise.”
In spite of her best resolve, she almost shed a few tears when Dylan grabbed her hand and squeezed.
6
Sitting on a red, vinyl-covered stool at the counter of Barney’s Diner the next evening, Jake lifted his cup of coffee and took a sip—and almost burned his tongue. Fresh coffee made by Miss Caroline could singe the mouth in more ways than one. Man, it was bitter. Worst coffee in town, but she kept trying—and failing—to make it better, and half the town stopped by for a cup most days to encourage her.
That’s what he loved about Starlight. People helped each other with a genuine, from-the-gut kind of caring. When they weren’t annoying the spit out of each other, they were always doing something to help a neighbor. Like stomaching horrible coffee to make a middle-aged widow feel good about herself and life in general. No wonder Abe Gardner said sales of antacids increased at the pharmacy when Caroline started making the coffee at Barney’s.
“Is this seat taken?”
Nicole slid onto the counter stool beside him, bringing a whiff of her familiar perfume. He remembered it well but closed his eyes and steeled himself. “Let’s go to a booth,” he said. “Want a cup of Earl Grey and a slice of cheesecake?”
Her eyes lit in pleased surprise. “That would be great.”
He called the order across the counter to Caroline.
With a spatula in her hand, Caroline raised it in the air, “You got it. I’ll bring the order to your table in a couple of minutes.”
Stealing a glance at Nicole as they moved across the small diner, Jake knew most of the eyes of the other patrons followed them. The soft buzz of gossip would soon follow; it was as predictable as the spring thaw and old man Picasso and Caroline’s verbal sparring.
He had to admit, Nicole looked pretty with her long dark hair escaping the hood of her parka. Taking the seat opposite him, she graced him with her most winning smile. “It’s good to see you, Jake. You’re handsome as ever.”
She was fishing for a compliment, but he wasn’t about to take the bait.
“Thanks for agreeing to meet with me,” she said. “I heard about your terrible fall. Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, thanks. How are things in Des Moines? Is it everything you’d hoped?”
A slow smile creased her lips as she unzipped and shrugged out of the parka. “I love being a reporter, and I’ve been promised a chance at weekend anchor in the next few months.”
Jake whistled under his breath. “I know it’s what you wanted. I’m happy the job’s working out so well for you.” He rapped his knuckles on the table and thanked Caroline as she brought Nicole’s tea and cheesecake with two forks. No way did he want to share like they’d done when they were a couple. That would be too intimate, and he didn’t want to encourage Nicole or any of the others watching this little scenario.
“Mayb
e you can come and visit. We could get reacquainted and share some quality time together away from Starlight. I’m sure I could get one of the guys at the TV station or my church to put you up for the weekend.” Nicole dropped her gaze and bowed her head.
“I’m not going to change my mind about Starlight,” Jake said after she finished her prayer. No reason to skirt around the subject and give her false hope. “This is my home, and I have no intention of leaving. That point is non-negotiable.”
“I know that,” she said, taking a small bite. “I thought it might help to get away for a few days, give you a new perspective perhaps.”
Jake swallowed his sigh. “You gave up on our relationship, Nicole. What do you think is different? I’m still the same guy—same job, same values, same everything.” He waited until she met his eyes. “Seems to me you decided you didn’t want what I had to offer. Then you left town without bothering to tell me in person. I had to find out from the ladies at Martha’s Bakery before I went home and found that three-sentence note you left in my mailbox.” Calm down. Give her the chance to explain.
“That was wrong, and you deserved better. I’m sorry, Jake. I’ll admit I used to think you were ridiculously old-fashioned with your whole no-kissing rule,” she said, poising her fork above the plate. “But after being in the ‘real world’ as you call it, for almost a year, I can see where your way of thinking is better.”
“Say what you mean, please.” Jake sat back and crossed his arms. How could he know if she was tickling his ears or if she’d really had a change of heart?
She paused in the middle of chewing a bite, and he could see her force it down. “OK, then. Guys can be real jerks. Does that make you happy?”
“No, it doesn’t. Of course not.” Jake needed to bolster his defenses and not allow this woman to tear them down. He couldn’t open that door by asking for details. Nicole might have made mistakes or errors in judgment with other guys, but she could take care of herself. As it was, those big peepers were eyeing him in the way he used to adore. Stay strong.
“You know what makes you different, Jake?”
This could be enlightening. He nodded for her to continue.
“You made a vow to the Lord, and you’ve kept it. You’re a good man of character and high moral standards—hardworking, strong, and faithful. You’ll make a terrific husband and father. Everyone here in Starlight loves you. You’re the most unselfish man I’ve ever known and—”
Turning his head, Jake blew out a breath. He’d heard enough. “Are you saying you want me back, want to try again?”
Relief radiated in the softening of the new, tiny lines around her eyes. “Yes,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“I don’t know…” He faltered, regretting the hint of hope in his voice. “Are you moving back to Starlight?” Jake wasn’t sure what he wanted her answer to be, but he needed to ask.
“No,” she said after taking a long sip of her tea. “My career is too important. At least right now, but who knows what might happen a few years down the road?” She gave him a tiny smile with a raised brow. “Would you at least consider visiting Des Moines?”
He shook his head; they were going in circles. “What would be the point?”
Nicole put her fork next to her plate. “Is it because of me?” Her eyes widened.
“No, because of me. Like I said, Starlight is my home. You know how important family and tradition are to me. I want to live in the house where my grandma tucked me in and read Bible stories. Where I knelt beside my mom when I was five and asked Jesus to come live in my heart.” He should stop, but he couldn’t. “Where I slid down the railing and almost broke my nose when I was seven and where I learned to throw a touchdown pass in the backyard with my dad. I want to raise my kids there—show them the marks on the wall where Mom measured how much we’d grown every year, tell them how their ancestor built that house for his bride—”
“Nice speech, Jake. I hope you and your big old house will be very happy together. I pray your bride loves it as much as you do, or you might end up all alone.”
At least the kid gloves were off now. “Nicole, you know I think the world of you, but our values are too different. You might think you want what I have to offer, but from what you’re saying, you want the same things you did when you left last year.” This was exactly the kind of scene he hated and wanted to avoid at all costs, and another reason to visit the animal shelter. A dog would love him unconditionally.
She fiddled with the handle on her cup. “Does this have anything to do with that girl at Regency Hall last night?”
Her words rankled him. “What girl?”
Nicole frowned. “The one who couldn’t stop staring at you. Dark hair and attractive enough, I suppose. In a very tall sort of way.”
He’d never known her to act jealous before. Jake’s heart raced, and he chewed the inside of his cheek. Maybe he should think about why he was sitting across from one attractive woman who wanted him back in her life, yet the thought of another woman he could never have had his heart beating so fast he couldn’t keep up.
“Starlight’s not that big. A new woman comes to town and has eyes for the greatest guy around—the local hero, no less—it only takes a minute to get tongues wagging.”
“You mean Henrietta’s tongue. The woman in question is Dylan’s little sister. She lives in Cedar Rapids, and she’s a pediatric nurse.” Why he volunteered that information, Jake had no idea. But she didn’t need to know about Julia’s engagement; he’d keep that tidbit to himself.
“Seems to me she might be coming to visit her brother more often and she’s not exactly little.” Stabbing a final bite, Nicole shoved it into her mouth and pushed the plate aside.
“I wouldn’t know about that.” Jake shrugged and drank another swig of the lukewarm coffee. The idea of Julia visiting more often sounded appealing, but she’d be bringing her fiancé-turned-husband. He shifted in his seat and tried to ignore the sudden surge of disappointment.
“Can we agree to leave the door open for now? Maybe one of us will have a change of heart.” She squeezed his hand. “There’s still something between us, you can’t deny that.”
That stopped his thoughts cold. “I honestly don’t know, Nicole.”
She withdrew her hand and started to push her arms into the sleeves of her parka. “Tell you what. It wasn’t fair of me to surprise you like I did and force this discussion. Why don’t we agree to think about it—and pray about it—and give our relationship space? We can talk later.” Standing, she moved around the table and planted a soft kiss on his temple before he could say—or do—anything else. “Bye for now, Jake. Stay well.”
“Bye.” He rose to his feet and gave her a wave and a feeble smile when she paused outside the front door of Barney’s and blew him a kiss.
Yep, he’d definitely be making a trip to the pound soon.
7
The next morning began when Jake and Dylan were dispatched to Barney’s Diner to extinguish a small kitchen fire. It would take a few days to air out the place and repair the damage, but even longer to soothe Caroline’s ruffled feelings. Seems more-crotchety-than-ever Ben Picasso made an unfortunate, ill-timed comment about her coffee spontaneously combusting to ignite the blaze.
On the scene afterwards and making notes for his report, Jake gave Caroline a hug and tried to stifle his grin. From what he’d heard, she’d hollered at Ben to leave her alone and go paint another ugly masterpiece. With all that passion between those two, Jake figured there had to be a mutual attraction.
“So, how long do you think it’ll take for Ben Picasso to invite Caroline to make him coffee every morning…in his kitchen?” Dylan asked, finishing his corned beef sandwich as they sat together in the firehouse kitchen.
Jake chuckled. “I was wondering the same thing.” He ate his last barbecue potato chip, crumpled the bag, and tossed it in the trash can. “Three points for that ringer.”
“It’ll be a while before I’m a hundred percent, but I’m finally healing up.”
“Something else I’m wondering. How’d your meeting with Nicole go?” Subtlety wasn’t one of Dylan’s strongest traits.
“It went, but that’s about all I can say,” Jake said. “Nicole wants to get back together, but I’m not sure I’m willing to go down that road again.” He should have told her as much the night before, but he’d been too stunned. Or too chicken.
“Why not? You seemed fully aboard that love boat until Nicole capsized it. She’s been away long enough to learn her lesson. Is that what she told you?”
“Yeah.” Jake finished his iced tea and used his napkin to wipe his mouth. “How’d you know?”
“I’m married, man. I know a thing or two about relationships, believe it or not.” Dylan eyed him carefully. “If Nicole wants you back, it seems to me you’d be a happy man. Instead, you’re moping around here with a sorry-looking mug. If nothing else, it must have been gratifying.”
Picking up his empty plate and glass, Jake pushed away from the table and carried them to the sink. “I’m not denying it was gratifying, but I don’t think Nicole’s the right woman for me. I guess it took time and distance, but I didn’t feel much for her last night except leftover anger about the way she left town.”
“You mean the way she left you.” Dylan nudged him aside and started to rinse both their plates. “Another thing, buddy. A guy doesn’t usually say something like that unless he’s already met the one he thinks is the right one.”
