Seeking Mr. Debonair

by Cami Checketts

  Crew obliged her, and Harley tried not to stare at him. It melted her heart to see him hugging the older lady so sweetly.

  “If he isn’t the most gorgeous man on the planet, next to my Lucas, I am a nun who’s never looked at a perfect specimen,” Aunt Vicky exclaimed to Harley.

  Harley agreed wholeheartedly, at least about Crew. It was adorable how Aunt Vicky loved Lucas so desperately and wasn’t shy about voicing it.

  “Well, let’s get ourselves into church now,” Aunt Vicky continued. “Can’t be late. Crew, you take Harley’s arm and escort her in.” She shoved Crew at Harley.

  Crew gave her a secretive grin as he offered his elbow. Harley put her hand through the crook of it, steeling herself to not be affected by his smell, but it was horribly tough. She gripped the rounded muscle of his nicely defined bicep. My, oh, my, Aunt Vicky was a scheming old lady.

  The older couple dropped behind them a couple of steps, but it was impossible not to hear Aunt Vicky say, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen the likes of those two together. Made for each other, they were. Whoo-ee, that Crew can heat a body up, can’t he?”

  “Sure makes me hot,” Lucas muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm that was completely lost on Aunt Vicky.

  “Yessirree, I bet Harley’s as taken with the boy as I am. Of course no one compares to you, lover lips.”

  “Thank you, dear.”

  Harley was just wishing they could get inside the church so Aunt Vicky would have to stop talking. Taken with the boy? She was very much not taken with the boy!

  “It’s okay, pretty girl,” Crew leaned close to murmur. “You can tell me how hot I am later.”

  There was no denying he was hot in that suit, but Harley had already fed his ego plenty for today. “Beauty is as beauty does,” she said, stealing from her dad and whoever had coined the phrase in the first place.

  “So I’m pretty inside and out?” Crew winked at her.

  “No! Beauty doesn’t dunk someone’s ponytail in the river.”

  Crew laughed unrepentantly and opened the church door, escorting her through and waiting for Aunt Vicky and Lucas. Aunt Vicky patted his cheek. “Mmm. Such a good boy.”

  They slowly made their way into the meeting. Harley hurried to her family’s pew, grateful to be away from Crew. He sat a few rows behind her and to the right of the aisle, next to his parents and sisters, and she had to fight to keep her gaze focused on the preacher. Aunt Vicky was right, he definitely heated a body up, but church was no place to be thinking or talking like that.

  She tried to concentrate on the preacher and being here with her dad. Grateful to join her family this Sunday, she tried to put thoughts of Crew as far away as she could push them. Sadly, her brain seemed to lack the strength to do much pushing.

  Crew had spent a miserable night last night wanting to text or call Harley, wondering how her date had gone. He’d worked on a new vanity until two in the morning, then finally forced himself to go to bed.

  He’d been lucky to see Harley pull into a parking space and be able to get her door. When she stood and her body pressed into his as she looked up at him so sweetly and told him he was beautiful, Crew was sure he’d won the lottery. The woman he’d loved since teenage years was finally returning those feelings.

  Dang Aunt Vicky for ruining the moment. He needed to get Harley alone, somewhere far away from any interruptions. Nobody had the right to interrupt the kiss he needed to bestow on Harley. Maybe she’d finally recognize that she loved him back. He glanced her way once more, loving the way that dusty blue dress contrasted with her dark curls and smooth skin.

  “Sheesh, stare a little harder. Half the church hasn’t noticed yet,” his little sister Jessie whispered much too loudly.

  Crew grabbed her knee. She squealed as expected, and that earned her a death glare from both of their parents. Of course they didn’t notice him eliciting the squeal. Jessie was always in trouble, but she deserved it most of the time.

  Jessie stuck her tongue out at him but didn’t make any more comments, and Crew went back to staring at Harley. He didn’t care who noticed. He might not have a chance with her, but he was going to enjoy every moment she was here. Could she truly leave them all for England? His lips tightened. She could, and she most likely would.

  The final song and prayer ended and Crew stood quickly, stretching his legs and his back. Sitting through church on the hard benches was torturous, but he’d been blessed beyond measure with a great family, a healthy body, a successful business, and good friends. He could sit through church and donate generously to show his gratitude.

  “What are you waiting for?” Jessie pushed at his side. “Go ooh and ahh over your girl.” She pressed her lips into an obnoxious kissing expression. He pitied the poor boy who fell for her.

  “She’s not my girl,” he muttered back.

  “You are one pathetic loser.”

  Swiveling dramatically toward her, Crew put her in a headlock.

  “Not in church,” their mother admonished.

  Crew let Jessie go and she dodged away from him, laughing. “Grow some guts, pretty boy,” she taunted. Crew knew she wasn’t talking about being able to put her in another headlock in church.

  His other sister, Tiffany wasn’t nearly as much fun as Jessie, but she was much more pleasant to be around. She smiled at him. “You look really nice today, Crew.”

  “Thanks, sweet girl.” He gave Tiffany a hug and tossed Jessie a smug look.

  His mom straightened his tie and reached up to kiss his cheek. “So handsome. Are you coming for dinner, love?”

  Crew looked around for the Redlands. “Umm, maybe.”

  His dad shook his head. “Go wrangle an invitation, son. None of us are blaming you.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” He shook his hand and gave his mom and Tiffany each another hug, smacking Jessie on the butt as he walked away.

  “Hey!” she called out loudly.

  “Not in the church,” her mother admonished.

  “Golden Boy started it.”

  “Well, I’m finished with it.”

  Crew hurried away, chuckling to himself. Some things would never change. He’d tease Jessie and his mom would always defend him.

  Clint and Ryker were slowly shuffling out of the church. Harley and her mom had been held up by neighbors and friends wanting to say hello to Harley. Crew followed her dad and brother, knowing she’d get outside eventually. He breathed in the fresh air and descended the church steps, slapping his friend on the back. “How’s it going, bro?”

  Ryker looked up with concern in his eyes. “Dad’s really tired.”

  Clint held up a hand. “Stop your bellyaching, I’m not dead yet.” But his face was pale and he looked ready to collapse.

  “Let me go get the keys from Harley,” Crew offered.

  “Thanks,” Ryker said.

  Crew ran back into the church. “Harley?” he called out.

  Everyone turned in surprise. “Wow,” Aunt Vicky said. “He’s just making his intentions known before the good Lord and all of his disciples in one fell swoop.”

  Jessie laughed loudly at that. His mom looked mortified.

  Crew gritted his teeth. “I need the keys. Your dad’s not doing good.”

  The crowd gasped as one and then parted, letting Harley and her mom go. They both rushed to Crew, and he took Sadie’s arm and escorted her to her husband on the front lawn while Harley broke into a run for the parking lot.

  Crew released Sadie, even though she probably needed the support, and reached Clint’s other side. Ryker shot him a look of desperation over his dad’s head. Crew couldn’t imagine how hard this was on all of them. It was eating Crew up, and he wasn’t even blood.

  “You all need to stop acting like I got both feet in the grave,” Clint said. “I only got one.” He chuckled even though no one else laughed. “Crew, you coming over for dinner and the game?”

  “Sure. Cubs and the Dodgers, how could I miss that?”

&nbs
p; “Thanks, son.”

  Their eyes caught, and something passed between them. Crew wanted to cry. Clint wasn’t long for this world and they all knew it. Crew felt like a jerk being so absorbed in how to win Harley. She needed to be with her family right now.

  He gave the older man a mischievous grin instead. “’Cause you know my Cubs are going to kill your Dodgers tonight.”

  “Ha!” Clint roared. “Dodgers are going to shut them out, you mark my words. My boy Marcos is pitching and he isn’t letting in a single run.”

  Harley pulled up to them in the Cherokee. Crew and Ryker helped Clint into the seat. Harley stayed in the driver’s seat, looking over at Crew and smiling sadly.

  “Go get out of that monkey suit and we’ll see you in a few,” Clint murmured.

  “Sounds good, sir.”

  Harley’s eyes widened. Crew grinned at her and shut the door. He wouldn’t take her away from her dad, but he couldn’t reject an offer to join the family, now could he? Clint had been ordering him around most of his life, so he’d take this as a direct command.

  He rushed to his truck, half-wishing he could leave the monkey suit on. Harley seemed to like him in it. He smiled. It was the first time he’d ever wanted to stay in a suit. His mom would’ve been proud.

  Chapter Seven

  Harley helped her mom get the roast beef, mashed potatoes, garden corn, and homemade rolls onto the table while studying her dad in his easy chair. He looked horrible. He and Mom had gone to the doctor a few times last week, but nobody wanted to talk about it. Harley was sick even thinking about the cancer eating away at his once-strong body.

  Her dad caught her eye. “Stop looking at me like I’m a squirrel you’re roastin’ over the fire.”

  Harley’s jaw dropped. “I didn’t look at you like that.”

  “Yes, you did. Everybody wants to go where I’m going, so I don’t know what you’re all sad about anyway. I’m sad for you. You have to stay here, and I get to go to heaven and party it up with my parents and brother and a whole slew of people who know how to have a good time.”

  Harley fumbled for a response, any response. Her tongue lay heavy in her mouth.

  “But I’ll be sad for you having to stay on this boring earth without your witty, fun-loving papa.” His voice softened a little bit, but there was still fire in his eyes.

  “Will you please stop it?” her mom begged. “Do you have any clue how much I’m going to miss you?”

  “I know you’re going to miss me, darlin’, but that’s just ’cause I’m so easy to love.” He winked at the two of them. “I’m going to miss you more, sweetheart.” His voice grew more tender than Harley had ever heard.

  Ryker came in the back door from checking on the calves. He glanced around, sensing the tension in the room. “What did I miss?”

  “Nothing good,” her dad said. “Bunch of sobbin’ women, cryin’ buckets of tears.” He’d always loved Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

  “That’s not fair, Daddy,” Harley protested. “You really want us to not be sad at the thought of losing you?”

  “Yeah, I do.” He jutted out his chin. “Is that too much to ask? Put on your pretty smiles and let me enjoy your beautiful faces. Enlighten my mind with all your intellectual brilliance and keep me happy and distracted my last few days, because it’s awfully miserable to be sitting where I’m sitting!”

  Harley’s mom sniffled, but Harley resolved to honor her dad’s request. Even if it was fake to pretend she was happy. She tried to think how she’d feel if she was in his place and realized he wasn’t very far off. She’d hate seeing everyone sniffling and boo-hooing about her future demise.

  Harley walked over to his chair and leaned down, kissing his cheek and then wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “Okay, Daddy. We’ll party it up then.”

  He reached up and hugged her tightly. “Thank you, darlin’.” His voice choked up. Harley had never seen her dad cry, and she didn’t know if she could see it now without completely breaking down.

  The front door opened and closed, and Harley straightened and turned. Crew strode into the great room. He looked almost as good in some gray shorts and a black T-shirt stretching nicely across his chest as he had in a suit. Almost. She’d sure loved him in that suit.

  “There’s my boy,” her dad boomed. “Let’s eat so we can watch the game. I got it on DVR.”

  Crew grinned. “Good. Then we can fast-forward the boring innings where the Dodgers are three up, three down.”

  Her dad laughed, and Harley was so grateful to Crew for bringing that laugh out. A pallor of heaviness was filling their home, but Crew dispelled it easily. It reminded her of when she was in college and she’d allow herself to work on house plans on her computer after hours of poring over boring business textbooks. It always lifted her spirits.

  Her dad pushed out of his chair and Ryker was quick to get by his side and help him to the table. Harley stood by helplessly. She hadn’t even thought of helping him up like that.

  They blessed the food, passed it around, and had started eating the delicious homemade meal when her dad dropped a bomb that stuck the succulent roast beef in her throat.

  “Crew! When you gonna take my girl on a nice long horseback ride? You know how she loves to ride, and all she’s done this past week is sit around trying to make me smarter, figure out how to save us a whole bunch of tax money with her brilliance, and make her beautiful jewelry.”

  “Dad.” Harley grabbed a roll and hurried to butter it to avoid looking at any of them. Why did they have to try to match-make her with Crew? Just to keep her in Wyoming?

  “What?” he defended. “You’d be happy to take her, right, Crew?”

  “Of course, sir. I’d love to.”

  Harley couldn’t resist raising her eyes and meeting his gaze. He looked mischievous and irresistible. Harley swallowed hard and took a too-large bite of her roll. The butter had melted on the fresh roll and the yeasty bread was wonderfully light, but she could hardly chew around the bite she’d taken.

  “So tomorrow? Summer days are a-wastin’.” Her dad was not letting up.

  Harley appealed to Ryker and her mom with her eyes, but they were sharing a secretive glance without her. Oh, great. Her entire family was involved in some ploy to hook her up with Crew. They all knew she would be marrying a debonair, educated man and seeing the world, and Crew definitely wasn’t the man who could do that with her.

  “I have to catch up on quite a few projects with work tomorrow,” Crew said. “Tuesday morning would work better.” His gaze swung to Harley. “If that works okay for you?”

  Harley finally got the bite down. “Tuesday is fine.” She quickly changed the subject before Ryker teased them or her mom started asking Crew’s measurements for the tux for their wedding day. “What projects are you working on around the ranch?”

  Crew had just taken a bite of roast beef, so her dad answered for him. “Crew has just been helping around the ranch because I’m such weak-sauce and we’re shorthanded. He’s got two successful businesses.”

  Her mom’s mashed potatoes were creamy and fluffy, but Harley hardly tasted the bite as she swallowed quickly. “Are you serious?” she asked. “I thought you were only a ranch hand.” What to make of this new information? Crew had not one but two businesses? That didn’t scream playboy who lives with mom and dad. Not that it mattered to her personally, but she was happy to see her friend be successful.

  Crew simply stared at her like she’d dug up a secret he would’ve taken to the grave.

  “Ouch. Did you mean to insult all of us in one fell swoop?” Ryker asked.

  Harley looked around. Her mom appeared a little ashamed of her insensitivity. Her dad was kind of smirking like he knew she’d been picturing Crew as only mucking out horse stalls and had just been flipped on her head. Ryker looked a little peeved. Crew leaned toward her as if her response might determine world peace.

  “N-no. I apologize. Ranching is a good, honest career, an
d I know you’re successful, Ryker. I just meant …” She didn’t know what she meant, but she really wanted to hear more about Crew’s businesses.

  “You just meant that a ranch hand was beneath the educated princess, we get it.” Ryker’s words were harsh, but his tone was easy and his smile big. He wasn’t the type to hold a grudge. “Maybe you need to open your eyes, little sister.”

  “We all have different paths, Ry.”

  “Some that rocket us away from what’s important,” he said quietly.

  Harley’s stomach tightened. She hated to offend her dad or brother, but she was cut from a different cloth from them. She needed books, intellectual discussions, ideas to improve and succeed, and fighting to climb the career ladder, but most of all she needed exploration and adventures, new vistas and people. The girls’ camp days of her youth had opened her eyes to all that was out there and set her on a path to adventure that she wouldn’t veer from.

  “So what are your businesses?” she asked Crew before Ryker could expound or her messed up priorities. He’d been a great big brother growing up, protecting her, teaching her, teasing her, but he never understood how much she wanted England, education, and experiences. She’d never forget the day she came home from Camp Wallakee and confided in him about the Jane Austen Pact and how she was going to live in England someday and from there, explore new countries. He’d told her that was nice, but she’d grow out of wanting to see the world. No matter how she dug her heels in, he simply teased her or dismissed her dreams. She focused on Crew and tried to ignore the familiar sting.

  “I own a construction company, and I have a side business where I build concrete sinks and vanity tops.”

  “Oh.” Both businesses fit him. “How’s that going for you?”

  He paused and glanced at her dad. Clint nodded encouragingly. Harley was confused. Why wouldn’t Crew want to brag about his success? She was happy for him.

  Finally, he said, “Construction is out of control. I have seven houses in varying degrees of completion right now and four other buyers begging me to get going on theirs. The concrete sinks are more of a pastime, but I’ve got orders stacked up.” He said all of this with a quiet pride and an ease that showed he was comfortable doing what he was doing and being successful at it.