One Last Gift_A Small-Town Romance

by Nancy Stopper

  AS SOON AS the door clicked closed, Casey spun around. What in the hell was she going to do now? Her hopes that Jack would disappear soon were dashed. She had no idea what he was up to, and she didn’t have any extra time or energy to worry about him right now. Maybe he’d get bored cutting trees and spend the rest of his time visiting with Sid. Then Casey wouldn’t have to worry about running into him. Literally.

  She hadn’t expected to find him on the other side of the door, much less have him slam into her when she was heading to the front. She’d caught him so he didn’t fall. That was what she kept telling herself. But that didn’t explain why she leaned into him.

  If Sam hadn’t interrupted them, she might have actually kissed him. What in the hell was she doing? She had no business kissing Jack Murphy no matter how delicious he looked in the wholly-inappropriate dark green cashmere sweater and dress slacks that hugged his sculpted body beneath his fancy coat. The sweater darkened his eyes to the color of the evergreens when the sun was just going down. It was her favorite time of day to walk between the rows, running her hands along the soft needles.

  She belonged here, working alongside Sid and Jackie, tending to the trees and watching them grow, helping customers find the perfect tree for their home. If Jack wanted to pitch in while he was in town, fine. But she wasn’t going to allow him to disrupt the life she’d made for herself. He could stay outside and she’d focus on the paperwork she’d been neglecting for the past couple of weeks.

  The morning flew by. Casey fielded more than a few questions from the teens helping with the lot, but Jack hadn’t returned since she’d sent him out with the chop list. The list would have only taken Sid a couple of hours, so where was Jack? On the one hand, it would make her life easier if he headed back to Boston now. On the other hand, even with him being back one day, she was bothered at the idea he’d disappear without saying goodbye.

  She stepped out of the office and took pleasure in the activity. Customers milled around, pointing out their favorite trees for flocking, selecting greens to decorate their bannisters and mantles, and filling their carts with deep red poinsettias. This was how it should be, happy people preparing for the holiday season.

  Gray clouds blanketed the sky. She wouldn’t be surprised if snow blew in overnight. Just what they needed to heighten the Christmas spirit.

  One voice rang out over all the others—Jack. Had he ignored the chop list? Of course he would be goofing off, schmoozing with the customers instead of doing the work that needed to be done. Wouldn’t surprise her if he didn’t take her seriously because she was just an “employee” and he was the owners’ son.

  She stomped up to Jack where he leaned against a column, his arms crossed casually while he laughed with a customer. At least she hoped it was a customer—the way Jack was flirting, it was hard to tell. The brunette stroked a finger across his arm and he didn’t pull away. It wasn’t like Casey’d expected Jack to pine for her, but being reminded of exactly how attractive he was didn’t help matters.

  “Hey, Casey.” Jack straightened and curled his arm around her shoulder. It was all she could do to hold herself rigid against the urge to sink into him. To allow his warmth to wrap around her. “This is Miranda Hadley. She runs an assisted living and retirement center in Wernersville. I was telling her about the group that came from Reading yesterday. She wanted to schedule a time to bring her residents out.”

  Casey immediately felt bad for jumping to the wrong conclusion. But she wasn’t about to expose how seeing him talking to the attractive woman made her feel. “Miranda, it’s so nice to meet you. I think we still have time to fit your group in. Why don’t you follow me into the office and we can make arrangements? We can talk about what kind of budget your residents have and make sure we direct them to the right areas when you come.”

  “That sounds great. I’m so glad I stopped in today.”

  Casey motioned toward the office and Miranda headed in that direction. Jack fell into step beside Casey. She shot him a questioning look, and he raised his eyebrows and quirked his mouth into the grin that used to drive her wild.

  Well, she wasn’t that young girl anymore, and Jack wasn’t that guy.

  Casey settled Miranda into the guest chair and rounded the desk to grab the group schedule. In just a few minutes, arrangements were made for their visit the next week. And all the while, Jack leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed, like he had nothing better to do than to watch her work.

  “Well, Miranda, I think we’re all set. Please give me a call if you have any questions before your event next week.”

  “I will. Thanks.”

  Casey and Jack escorted Miranda through the greenhouse and shook her hand. Casey expected Jack’s eyes to follow the attractive woman as she left, but when she checked on him, they were locked on her.

  “What?”

  “You’re good at this.” To anyone else, Jack’s words might have sounded patronizing, but there was genuineness in his voice. Casey chose to believe he was being honest.

  “Thanks. Do you need to finish cutting trees?” The sooner Jack left the office and took his delicious-smelling aftershave and easy smile with him, the better.

  “Nope. All done.” Jack grinned at her. He was way too cocky for his own good.

  Dang. She’d expected the lengthy list to give her a few hours of calm. But as she inspected the rows of stands, every slot was filled and all of the trees were tagged. There wasn’t a bare spot to be had. “Wow, okay. That was quick. Thanks.”

  Jack steered her back into the office and shut the door behind them. She retreated behind the desk, but Jack crowded in with her. As she sank into the chair, he propped one hand on the desk and the other behind her.

  He leaned in close. Was he thinking about their almost-kiss earlier? No, she’d probably imagined the interest she’d seen in his gaze. She questioned that conclusion, though, as he stared at her. “You don’t need to be threatened by me, Casey. I’m not going to come in here and change things. I’m just here to help while Dad is out of commission.”

  Casey’s lungs burned and she let out a breath. Having him around threatened her peace of mind. After all these years, she thought she’d put all her feelings for Jack aside, but one day in his presence dragged the most unwelcome ones to the surface.

  He propped on the edge of the desk. “So, what time do you knock off for the day?”

  “Why?” Casey hated that she was suspicious of every word out of Jack’s mouth, but it had taken her a long time to get over his leaving. She wasn’t sure she could survive another heartbreak if she allowed herself to fall for him again.

  Besides, Sid and Jackie had always supported her flexible schedule. Thankfully, Riley didn’t have any afterschool activities that pulled her away early. Since his best friend lived two doors down, he played there each afternoon until she could break away from work. “I don’t know. Five, I guess.”

  “Great. Let’s go grab some dinner.”

  Was he actually asking her out? She didn’t know if she should be encouraged or scared. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “You don’t have to call it a date. Just two old friends catching up.”

  “Either way, I can’t. I have…I have something I have to do.”

  Jack quirked a single eyebrow at her, asking the question she wasn’t ready to answer.

  She didn’t want to introduce Jack to Riley. Her son wasn’t his business, and she didn’t want Riley getting the wrong idea if he met Jack.

  “Sounds like an excuse to me. C’mon, Casey.” He leaned in close. So close. “Live a little. One meal.”

  Casey shuffled the papers on her desk. If Jack stayed late at the lot, she could take some of the paperwork home. Then she wouldn’t have to be near him, to have his smile weakening her knees, to have him test her resolve to stay away from him. That was what she’d do—she’d go home and work.

  She grabbed her tote bag off the floor and slid a bunch of papers in. Then
she slammed the laptop shut and shoved it into the bag. She snatched her keys from the desk drawer. “No, Jack. And since you’ve been such a huge help today, I think I’ll take this paperwork home and work on it there. I’ve really fallen behind having to cover for Sid. I’ll have my cell if anyone needs anything. The guys know how to close at the end of the day. Just ask them what needs to be done.”

  Jack blocked her from leaving the room. With his hands on his hips, he cocked his head and stared at her a minute. Finally he stepped aside and motioned for her to pass him.

  Her arm brushed against his body on the way by. Did he do that on purpose? Was he trying to torture her? If this was how it was after one day, she’d never survive until Jack left.

  Chapter Six

  JACK CHUCKLED AS Casey raced away from him. Could he help that he loved to get her all flustered and see her blush? Yeah, he’d probably dialed it up too much, but he was having fun. A lot more fun than he’d expected coming back to Oak Grove.

  He lowered himself into the chair that had once been Dad’s and was now apparently Casey’s and studied the office. Everything was neat and in its place—a cup of pencils sat on the corner of the desk beside a big stack of sticky notes. She had tucked the group schedule neatly back into a file after Miranda had left. Dad hadn’t been kidding when he said she did a good job.

  Granted, she hadn’t changed or personalized the office. The people he worked with often had a plant or picture frames on their desk, but Casey didn’t have anything. No hint about her life now.

  He’d been serious when he said he just wanted to take her out as friends. He wasn’t about to start up something with her when he wasn’t staying. She’d made it clear she wouldn’t move to Boston with Jack, and he couldn’t stay. He couldn’t bear the constant reminder of their loss.

  Jack preferred not to dwell on things he couldn’t change—to keep his emotions tucked away. He couldn’t let them overwhelm him like they had Casey. He’d tried to be there for her, but she’d been inconsolable for so long. When he’d announced he was moving to Boston, his declaration set off a barrage of Casey’s begging and pleading for him to stay. If she had really loved him, she would have gone with him, right? But he wasn’t important enough for her to make the change he so desperately needed.

  While he was talking to Miranda, she’d tucked her business card in his pocket. It would be easy enough to call her, to take her out to a nice dinner in Cedar Hill and back to her place for a few hours between the sheets. It wouldn’t be the first time an attractive woman had propositioned him. But when he imagined himself making love, Casey was the one he pictured beneath him, clinging to him as he drove her to release over and over. Their lovemaking before was filled with the awkward fumblings of two kids who didn’t know much—Jack could show her a thing or two now.

  He shook his head. He would not go there. Casey’d turned him down for dinner, and that was that. He’d focus on what he’d come to town to do—check on Dad and help out with the business.

  A couple hours later, he helped close the lot for the night and headed home. He stepped into the kitchen just as his mother was slinging her purse onto her shoulder.

  “Oh, Jack. Perfect timing. I was heading to visit your father.” She grabbed a poinsettia off the counter wrapped in clear cellophane and decorated with a gold foil bow. “We can go together. I need to stop by a shop in town on the way. Emma has been so good since Sid’s attack. I want to thank her.”

  “Sure.” Jack’s stomach rumbled. “I haven’t eaten all day. Maybe we can grab a quick bite.”

  “I just finished dinner, but you can get a sandwich at Emma’s.”

  “Sounds good.” Of course, this meant even longer ignoring the Boston work piling up. But spending time with Mom and Dad was why he’d come to town. Work could wait.

  A few minutes later, Mom was settled beside him on the way into town.

  “Your father moved to a room on the medical floor today. His recovery is moving along nicely. I’m hoping he can come home in a day or two.”

  “That would be great.” Sounded like Dad was doing better than anyone had expected him to. Maybe Jack didn’t have to stay as long as he’d originally planned.

  Jack parked along the street in front of the town green and helped Mom out of the truck. Bright garland and deep red ribbons hung from the streetlights that lined the sidewalk in front of the shops, and white lights wrapped around each pole. Christmas had certainly come to Oak Grove. It had been easy enough for him to ignore the season while buried in work in Boston. Not here.

  A door in front of them opened and three giggling teens burst out of a shop, coffee cups in hand. He stepped up to the spray-snow covered window with a painting of the North Pole and Santa Claus across the bottom. Mug ’n Muffin.

  “In here.” Mom motioned to the brightly-colored window. The coffee shop hadn’t been around when he left. They probably did a great business. Jack ushered Mom in and then stepped inside. The warmth of the shop surrounded him, and the fresh, rich aroma of coffee soothed his frazzled nerves. Most of the tables were occupied, but there was no line to block his view of the holiday-themed pastries displayed in the brightly-lit case. And it could have been Mrs. Claus herself behind the counter, with her white hair and round cheeks.

  “Hey, Jackie. So good to see you, and who is this young man at your side?”

  Jack chuckled. He hadn’t been called young in a long time, but being back home certainly made him feel young again. Like the weight of his responsibilities in Boston lifted as soon as he crossed the Oak Grove town limits. He hadn’t thought about the work piling up one single time while he’d spent the day at the lot. As soon as he got back to the house tonight, he was sure he had several hours ahead of him.

  “Emma, this is my son, Jack. Jack, this is Emma McKenzie.”

  The other woman’s eyes sparkled. “Nice to meet you, Jack. Welcome home.”

  Home. He opened his mouth, but his typical response just wouldn’t fall off his tongue. For so many years, Oak Grove had not been home to him. He hadn’t expected his hometown to dig its claws into him so easily. He’d have to fight like hell to break free when it was time to leave. “Thanks. This is a great shop. I thought maybe I’d grab a quick ham and cheese sandwich.”

  Emma motioned to the woman behind her before she and Mom stepped off to the side and put their heads together.

  A minute later, the employee rounded the counter with a plate in her hand and an empty mug. “Here’s your sandwich. Coffee’s over on the station behind you. I hope you enjoy it.”

  Mom and Emma were still chatting, so Jack found a table and settled in. He’d barely wiped his mouth from the first delicious bite when a man stepped to the table, a woman and young girl behind him.

  “Sorry to bother you, but are you by any chance Jack Murphy?”

  Jack stood. The man looked remotely familiar, but it had been a long time. He extended his hand. “I am. And you are?”

  The man shook his hand. “I’m Lucas Bennett. I was a couple years behind you in school.”

  “Yeah, of course. It’s just been a while.”

  Lucas motioned behind him. “This is my wife Sarah and my daughter Lily. This is Jack Murphy. He’s Sid’s son.”

  “Nice to meet you, Jack,” Sarah said. Their blonde-haired daughter tucked herself behind Sarah’s leg. “How’s your Dad doing?”

  While Dad’s business had been an Oak Grove staple for Jack’s entire life, he hadn’t really considered how many people knew and cared about his father. “Dad’s doing good. Hopes to come home in a couple of days.”

  “Glad to hear that. Was a close call. We barely got to him in time.”

  We? “You’re a paramedic? Thanks for saving his life.” Jack found himself getting choked up again at the thought of losing Dad. He wasn’t ready.

  “Casey was the one who saved his life—doing CPR until we got there.”

  Casey again. She’d certainly made a name for herself in Oak Grove.


  “Listen, I’ll leave you to your sandwich. If you’re gonna be in town for a while, you should stop by J.J.’s for a beer or bite to eat. My brother Joey runs it.”

  If he was remembering correctly, Joey Bennett had been a wild teenager, always the life of the party, when Jack left town. Now he was running a restaurant. Jack had really missed out on a lot the past ten years.

  Why had he refused to come home all this time?

  Oh yeah, Casey.

  Jack extended his hand. “Nice to see you again, Lucas. And nice to meet you, Sarah and Lily. I’ll make sure to stop by J.J.’s. Thanks again for taking care of my dad.”

  “You’re welcome…and welcome home.”

  Lucas escorted his family out the door and Jack stared after them. Boys he’d known growing up were now men, running businesses and starting families. What did Jack have to show for his time away? A successful business, dammit. He’d worked hard to grow his firm and had the fat bank account to attest to his success.

  So why then did Casey’s face flash in his mind?

  It was because he was home. As soon as he got back to Boston, his life would return to normal and he could leave his memories behind. Thing was, life so far from Oak Grove wasn’t nearly as appealing as it had been.

  He collected Mom and they were soon on their way to the hospital, but the vibrating phone in his pocket reminded him of what he’d neglected while he spent the day as a lumberjack and taking a walk down memory lane. He’d best maintain some sort of focus on Boston or he wouldn’t have anything to go home to once Dad was better.

  Chapter Seven

  CASEY STEPPED OUT of the office to check in with the staff to the sound of Jack’s voice carrying across the lot. It had been like this every morning for the past week when he showed up, greeted the employees on duty, then headed in to greet her. He had always been friendly with others, had made friends easily, especially in high school. That was when she’d fallen in love with him, seeing him across the room at homecoming their senior year. She’d gone to the dance with a group of girls and he with his friends. He’d asked her to dance that night and they started dating soon after. They weathered his years away at college and grad school while she took some classes at the community college and worked various jobs. But they hadn’t been able to weather the one loss that drove him away from town and away from her.