by C. C. Coburn
“Thanks for coming to my rescue,” Grace said, looking pointedly at Jack. “I don’t know how I would have got back into town without your help, Sally. And I look forward to meeting the rest of your family.”
Matt slid back into the booth as she left and said, “I didn’t realize Sally was so lonely. I’ll have Beth give her a call and invite them over for dinner one night.”
“I don’t like the way you keep puffing every time you move, big brother,” Jack said, observing Matt’s shortness of breath. “You need more exercise. Starting tomorrow morning, you and I are hiking up the peak. Meet me at the base at six.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding! You want to kill me? I wouldn’t make it to the halfway station.”
“Then that’ll be our goal the first day. You want to be able to eat fries again sometime this century, don’t you?”
Matt looked so forlorn, Grace couldn’t help laughing. “I do seem to remember you as the action-man of the family, Matt.”
“He’s gone from chasing the bad guys to too much administration.”
“If I had the time, I’d go to the gym,” Matt said, defending himself.
“Forget the gym. What you need is good, clean mountain air. I might bring a couple of the guys along, too. I think Tyrone would enjoy the exercise. And the views.”
Matt nodded. “Growing up, the only exercise he got was running away from the cops and gangs. And until you took him on, the only view he was likely to get was from a jail cell in Dade County.”
“He’s a good kid. He was heartbroken when you decided you no longer needed our services,” he said, looking at Grace.
“Enough already!” she said, holding up her hands. “I’ve agreed to your stupid rules. Now lay off.”
Jack shrugged and took the last bite of his burger.
“So are you two going to start dating again?” Matt asked, obviously trying to feign innocence.
Jack almost choked on his burger at Matt’s question, so Grace said, “No, we aren’t. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have overalls to buy.” She stood up, forcing Jack to move over so she could get out of the booth.
“You want a ride back to the house?” he asked.
“It’s two blocks. I’m sure I can make it all by my little bitty self, thank you,” she snapped, and dropped a couple of twenties on the table to cover her and Sally’s bill.
“I’d like to meet Beth, Matt. Here’s my card. She can call me anytime. Or just ask her to drop by the house. She might find me covered in sawdust,” she said, glaring at Jack, “but it would be a pleasure to meet the woman who snagged a catch like you.”
Matt glowed under her compliment and Jack’s jaw dropped. “What about me?” he finally managed.
“You’re not married,” she said. “And the way you treat women, I doubt you ever will be.”
With that, she turned on her steel-toed boot and strolled out of the restaurant, careful to put a little more sway into her hips than necessary.
* * *
MATT CHUCKLED AS he watched her leave.
“I have a feeling, little brother, that your rule about not sleeping with a client is going to be broken very soon.”
Chapter Nine
Damn Matt. Damn Sally, and especially, damn Grace! Jack thought as he drove back to the house. Fortunately, Grace’s car was no longer parked out front, so he didn’t have to see her. What he hadn’t expected to see was the place swarming with his workers.
“What’s going on?” he asked Al. “Didn’t I tell you to clear this site?”
“You did. But then the guys wanted to stay. You know how much they want to work on a house like this. I couldn’t leave them unsupervised. Plus, I knew one of your brothers would talk some sense into you. That’s why I called Luke.”
Jack grunted and stormed inside. Ace had already demolished the kitchen, leaving a bare shell. Jack was impressed by the speed with which he worked. Ace and Tyrone were sweeping up the last of the dust.
“Good job, Ace,” he said, going over to the young man and clapping him on the shoulder. Jack took the broom from him and said, “Take the rest of the afternoon off. You and the guys go to Rusty’s and have a meal on me. I’ll see you all at seven tomorrow and we can start fresh.”
“So you and Ms. Grace are friends again?” Ace said.
News traveled fast around Spruce Lake. Al wouldn’t have said anything to the guys, so he wondered how they knew. His question was answered as his brother Will meandered down the stairs and said, “Heard you were having woman trouble, so I stopped by to help.”
Jack glared at him. “You can help by getting off this job site. And don’t play with any of the power tools on your way out!” he said to Will’s retreating back. Will had a reputation for being clumsy with tools, but strap on a pair of skis and the guy couldn’t make a wrong move.
“Catch you Friday, buddy,” Will said as he sauntered out the front door. “Oh, and Mom said to bring Grace.”
Will was referring to the regular Friday-night gathering at Two Elk. He was certainly not taking Grace. With all his brothers, their spouses and his mom campaigning for him and Grace to pick up where they’d left off fourteen years ago, Jack was sure he didn’t stand a chance. He wanted to win Grace back by fair means, not through his family’s interference.
* * *
“I’M DYIN’ HERE,” Matt puffed as they hiked up Mount Sourdough, one of the four ski mountains surrounding Spruce Lake.
“No, you’re just out of shape,” Jack told him, not even breathing heavily. “After this, I’m going to work on Grace’s house, while you’ll be going to a breakfast meeting. If you want to have a doughnut that Beth won’t hear about, then you’ll shut up and walk.”
“When...did you...get so...bossy?” Matt panted.
“Since my brothers decided to stick their noses into my love life.”
“So you admit...you’re still in love with Grace?”
“Just keep walking.”
“I don’t understand why you’re so reluctant to make the most of the time she’s here. What’s the problem?”
Jack stopped and looked at him. “Because I don’t work that way. I never have and never will!” Deciding they’d gone high enough for one day, he turned to start walking downhill, then halted and pivoted back to Matt.
“My relationship with Grace is none of your business, Matt, and that’s how I want it to stay.”
“Hey! You’re the one who said you needed to talk yesterday and we ended up at Rusty’s.”
“Where you proceeded to humiliate me by demanding I apologize to Grace.”
Matt shook his head. “Oh, little brother, you have a long way to go if you haven’t learned the two most important words for trying to placate a woman.”
“And what are they?”
“Yes, dear.”
“Very funny,” Jack said, increasing the pace and forcing Matt to keep up.
“You should bring Grace up here for a picnic,” Matt said. “Bet all these wildflowers spread out like a carpet would have her eating out of your hand.”
“I don’t want her eating out of my hand.”
“What do you want from her, then? If it isn’t sex, then what?”
Jack stopped so suddenly, Matt almost barreled into him. “I want what you and Beth have, Mom and Pop, Luke and Megan, Adam and Carly. Even Will and Becky, although what she ever saw in him is beyond me.”
“Such harsh criticism from you? Our most compassionate brother?”
Jack ignored the remark. “I...want a love that will last a lifetime. I don’t think Grace believes there’s such a thing.”
“Then you need to convince her there is.”
They’d reached the lower slopes where the topography leveled out. In winter, these were the nursery slopes where beginners learned to ski. Jack started to jog. He was keen to get to work, and in spite of himself, he couldn’t wait to see Grace again.
He stopped at Matt’s vehicle and leaned against it, waiting for his brother
.
Matt took a few minutes to join him and another minute to catch his breath, then said, “I’m glad...I parked here and not in town. I can’t manage...another step.”
“Take a look at how much you’ve achieved today,” Jack said, indicating the mountain.
They could spot the ridge they’d reached, high above them.
“I swear that mountain is way bigger than it was when we were kids,” Matt said.
Jack patted his back. “Nope, still exactly two miles above sea level to the ridge. Another half mile of elevation to the top of Sourdough. We’ll be hiking to the peak by the end of next week.”
“That’s a relief. I was afraid you were going to say we’d be hiking to the peak tomorrow.”
“Just think of all those doughnuts you’ll be able to eat when you do that.”
“After all that exertion, the thought of doughnuts makes me feel sick.”
Jack laughed and Matt opened his car door, apparently in no mood to share his amusement.
“Want a lift back into town?”
“Nope. I need to clear my head. See you same time tomorrow. And park your vehicle another two hundred yards down the hill. You need the extra exercise.”
Matt grunted. “See you tomorrow,” he said, and drove off in the direction of his office.
Jack stuck his hands in his pockets and strolled into town. Since the hike hadn’t taken as long as he’d expected, he’d get to the job site before anyone else arrived. He pushed the door open into Rusty’s and ordered coffee and granola.
“Nice group of kids you’ve got working for you, Jack,” Rusty said as he plunked the coffeepot on the counter, leaving Jack to refill his cup as often as he wanted.
Jack poured the coffee, added milk and took a mouthful. His eyes closed in bliss. Nothing beat Rusty’s coffee.
“Thanks. They’re keen to learn and they work hard. Haven’t had a lick of trouble with any of them. Did they enjoy their meal last night?”
“Very much. Here’s the bill,” Rusty said. Jack didn’t bother to check it, just pulled out his wallet, peeled off some twenties and said, “Hope this covers it.”
Rusty took the money, glanced at the bill and said, “Sure does.” He dropped some of the cash into the tip jar. “How come you never check the bill? Those kids could be ordering caviar for all you know.”
“You don’t serve caviar in this dive. I trust the kids to be sensible, and since you won’t serve them alcohol, we don’t have a problem. Most of these kids have been treated pretty badly by adults all their lives. I figure extending them some trust and hoping they don’t abuse it can’t hurt.”
Rusty nodded. “One of them, Tyrone, was asking if I had any evening work for him.”
“He’s a good kid. Not sure he’s had any waiter experience, though.”
“He’s happy to start as a dishwasher. And he sounds more interested in short-order cooking than in waiting tables.”
Jack finished his bowl of granola but was still hungry. The early-morning hike had left him with an appetite. He picked up the breakfast menu.
“Tyrone won’t have any references, but you can use me, if you want. The kid is a hard worker and, in my opinion, honest. Just don’t work him too hard so he’s useless to me the next day.”
“I’ll give him two nights a week, Friday and Saturday, if that’s okay with you? He has all of Sunday to recover,” Rusty said, and grinned. “What else can I get you?”
“Ham and poached eggs on an English muffin, thanks.”
Rusty took the order through to the kitchen and returned to where Jack sat. “So who was the pretty lady sittin’ with you yesterday?”
“I thought you were cooking yesterday,” Jack hedged.
“Was. Just ’cause I’m in the kitchen doesn’t mean I can’t keep an eye on the place. So, who is she?”
“She’s contracted me to restore Missy Saunders’s old place.”
“So that’s Grace Saunders?” Rusty asked. “She sure has grown up some. Didn’t you two date in high school?”
Jack had forgotten that Rusty had opened his bar and grill while Jack was still in school. He’d had a soda fountain back then, too. Jack and Grace had spent more than a few afternoons there.
“I’d rather not talk about it, if you don’t mind,” Jack said, refilling his mug and moving to a booth—away from the bar so he wouldn’t have to endure any more questions. Rusty was a great guy, but being a local bar owner, he knew and passed on a lot of gossip.
“I’ll take my eggs over here,” Jack said, grabbing a copy of the newspaper and indicating he needed space to read it as he slipped into a booth. Fortunately, the place started to fill with patrons and Jack didn’t see Rusty until he placed the plate of ham and eggs in front of him.
“Enjoy,” Rusty said, and disappeared into the kitchen.
Jack decided he’d eat breakfast at Maria’s café in future. Maria could be every bit as nosy as Rusty, but since she didn’t start her shift until the children were at school, he’d miss having her stop by the table to interrogate him.
* * *
A HALF HOUR LATER and stuffed with food and coffee, Jack turned in at the gate.
Al’s truck was already parked out front. “Morning, boss,” Tyrone greeted him as he mounted the front steps. “What do you want me to do today?”
“Morning, Tyrone. I hear you’re looking for some work at Rusty’s?”
Tyrone’s normally open expression grew a little alarmed. “You don’t mind, do you? I wanted to save for a car. There are some real bargains in the paper,” he said.
“No, I don’t mind at all, Tyrone. I admire your initiative. But run it by Judge O’Malley first. And before you buy a car, let me know and we’ll go check it out together. I’ll have a local mechanic make sure you don’t buy a lemon.”
Tyrone’s face split into a huge grin. “Thanks, boss. Man...you’re somethin’ special. You know that?”
Jack clapped him on the back. “You’re a hard worker, Tyrone. I admire that in a person, so I’m happy to help out. How about if you go and ask Al what he wants you to start on today?”
Tyrone nodded and disappeared inside.
“That was a nice thing for you to do.”
Jack spun around. Grace was leaning against the railing. He’d been so involved with Tyrone, he hadn’t even noticed her arrival. He took in her outfit. She wasn’t wearing overalls, but she was at least better covered than yesterday. A shirt unbuttoned over a scoop-neck T-shirt, jeans and the steel-toed boots. The tight-fitting jeans could have left a little more to the imagination. But he’d get her working so hard today, Grace might regret not wearing something more loose-fitting and comfortable.
“He’s a good kid,” he finally answered. “I’ll go out of my way for anyone who wants to get ahead in life.”
Grace climbed the stairs and came to stand right in front of him. “I hear you go out of your way for a lot of people.”
“You don’t want to believe everything you hear in this town.”
“Not even from Mrs. Carmichael, the florist?”
“When did you meet her?”
“I stopped by to get some flowers to cheer up my hotel room. We got to chatting. Seems she’s a big admirer of your family, especially your brother Will, in spite of his friendship with her husband’s pig.”
Jack laughed. Will and Louella and their strange friendship was a source of amusement and sometimes consternation around town.
“Don’t be surprised if he stops by here one day with Louella tagging along. They hang out when he’s in town. Otherwise, she gets up to mischief, and then Mayor Farquar gets into trouble with Becky.”
Grace held up her hands. “Whoa there, go back a couple of steps. Why does the mayor get into trouble with Becky?”
“The mayor is Mrs. C.’s husband and he owns Louella. He and Becky don’t exactly see eye to eye on pigs living inside the town limits. Mrs. Carmichael kept her former married name because no one could get used to calling her
Mrs. Farquar.”
Grace shook her head. “I’m still not sure I understand all that. But I look forward to meeting Louella. I think.” She frowned and Jack wanted to smooth out the line with his finger.
“Anyway, I have good news. I’ve found somewhere to stay in town,” she said. “Speaking of Mrs. Carmichael...I’ve taken the apartment over her shop. In fact, I’ve moved in already.”
No wonder he hadn’t heard her car pull up. Grace must have walked the two blocks to the house.
“You should’ve called me. I’d have helped you move your stuff.”
“Not much to move. I do have a favor to ask, however.”
“Done,” Jack said without waiting to hear what it was.
“I’m returning my rental and so I’ll need a ride back from Silver Springs later today, if that’s convenient for you?”
“Won’t you want a vehicle to get around?”
Grace shrugged. “I can walk anywhere I need to go in town.”
Chapter Ten
Jack finished the day by ordering more lumber. Designers from two firms that hand-built custom-fit kitchens had come by, and Marcie Mason and Grace had spent a long time with them. So long that they’d both missed lunch.
Jack offered to order some sandwiches to be delivered from Rusty’s, but Marcie had to go to another meeting soon after the rest of Jack’s team had departed for the day. That left Jack and Grace sitting on the front porch, sharing the remains of Jack’s lunch—the one he’d been too busy to eat himself.
“I can’t believe the progress that’s been made already,” Grace remarked, and bit into a ham-and-cheese sandwich.
“Some weeks you won’t notice any difference. Then you’ll be nagging me to get a move on.”
“I do not nag!” Grace protested.
Jack grinned. He enjoyed getting under Grace’s skin. “Let’s make a bet. If you haven’t nagged by the time this renovation is finished, I’ll owe you one hundred dollars. You nag and you have to pay up. Every time you nag.”
“That’s hardly fair! You’d only have to pay once, while I could be digging into my purse plenty of times.”
