Always the Best Man

by Michelle Major

  The other man’s eyes narrowed. “Surprised to see you out of bed so early, Crenshaw.”

  Emily braced herself for Declan’s retort, but he only smiled. “I’m full of surprises. How are Margie and the kids?”

  Phil blinked several times before clearing his throat. “They’re fine.”

  “I heard you have a grandbaby on the way.” Declan poured syrup over his pancakes.

  “My daughter-in-law is due around Thanksgiving,” the other man answered, his face relaxing.

  “I can’t wait for Jase to find the right girl,” Declan said. He nudged Emily’s plate with his, which she ignored. “But until then, he’s giving everything he has to this town. Do you know how many times he’s taken payment for his services as a lawyer with casseroles or muffins?”

  “I don’t,” Phil admitted. Several other volunteers had gathered around him.

  Declan leaned over the table and lowered his voice, as if he was imparting a great secret. “More than I can count. He shares the food with me, and while I appreciate it, blueberry muffins don’t pay the bills. But Jase wants to help people. There’s his work on city council and getting Liam Donovan to move his company headquarters here.” Declan glanced toward the doors leading into the hall. “There’s Liam now, along with Noah Crawford. My son is good for this town, you know?”

  The group on the other side of the table nodded in unison. “We know,” Phil said.

  With a satisfied nod, Declan turned to Emily, his dark eyes sparkling. “Shall we sit down and have breakfast, darlin’?”

  She nodded, stunned, and followed him to a table, waving Noah and Liam over toward them. “You were amazing.”

  He threw back his head and laughed. “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard that adjective used to describe me.”

  “I thought you’d get angry when Phil made the comment about you getting out of bed early.”

  “I don’t get mad about hearing the truth. Phil and I go way back. It may have taken me a whole morning to climb out of bed in my hangover days, but at least I wasn’t wearing my wife’s undies when I did.”

  Emily felt her mouth drop. “What are you talking about?” she asked in a hushed whisper.

  He winked at her. “I know plenty about the people in this town. For years, there was only one bar the locals liked. My butt was glued to one of the vinyl stools more nights than I care to admit. Most folks like to talk and they figure a drunk isn’t going to remember their secrets.” He tapped the side of his head with one finger. “But I got a mind like a steel trap. Even three sheets to the wind, I don’t forget what I hear.”

  “There’s more to you than anyone knows,” Emily murmured with a small smile. She wouldn’t forget what this man had put Jase through because of his drunken antics, but she could tell Declan was sincere in his desire to support his son.

  “I think we have that in common,” Declan told her.

  A moment later Noah put an arm around her shoulder. “Hey there, sis. Trading one politician for another?”

  She shoved him away, panic slicing up her spine.

  “I’m joking, Em,” Noah said quickly. “Didn’t mean to strike a nerve.”

  “You should let Katie do the talking while you stick to looking the part of a handsome forest ranger.” Emily tried to play off her reaction, but the way Noah watched her said he wasn’t fooled.

  He smiled anyway, smoothing a hand over his uniform. “I am a handsome forest ranger.” His expression sobered as he looked over her shoulder. “Hello, Mr. Crenshaw.”

  “Noah.” Declan nodded. “Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.”

  “Thanks. I owe a debt of thanks to Jase for helping me realize the love of my life had been by my side for years.” He moved back a step to include Liam in the conversation. “Have you met Liam Donovan?”

  Declan stuck out his hand. “I haven’t but I’ve heard you’re rich enough to buy the whole damn mountain if you wanted it.”

  Noah looked mortified but Liam only smiled and shook Declan’s hand. “Maybe half the mountain,” he answered.

  As she greeted Liam, Emily could feel her brother studying her. She and Noah hadn’t been close after their father’s death, especially since they’d each been wrestling with their own private grief, and neither very successfully. They’d begun to forge a new bond since returning to Crimson, but Emily wasn’t ready to hear his thoughts on her being a part of Jase’s life.

  Pushing back from the table, she grabbed her plate and stood. “You two keep Declan company. I see an old high school friend.” She leaned down to give Jase’s father a quick hug. “Thanks for breakfast,” she said with a wink.

  “Best date I’ve had in years.”

  Noah looked like he wanted to stop her, but she ducked around him and headed for the trash can in the corner. She waved to a couple of her mother’s friends, then searched for Jase amid the people mingling at the sides of the reception hall.

  Of course he was in the middle of the largest group, gesturing as he spoke and making eye contact with each person. They all stood riveted by whatever he was saying, nodding and offering up encouraging smiles.

  A momentary flash of jealousy stabbed at her heart. She understood what it was like to be on the receiving end of Jase’s attention, sincere and unguarded. He was the only man she knew who could make his gaze feel like a caress against her skin, and this morning was proof of why that was so dangerous to her.

  Even when he was living up to other peoples’ expectations, Jase was comfortable in the role. He belonged in the spotlight and in the hearts of this town. Emily had left behind her willingness to trade her private life for public favor. Davey had changed her. She’d never put anyone else’s needs before his. Even her own.

  She slipped out the door leading to the back of the church, needing a moment away from the curious eyes of the town. The midmorning sun was warm on her skin. She closed her eyes and tipped up her face, leaning back against the building’s brick wall.

  A moment later the door opened and shut again.

  “What happened to catching up with old friends?” Noah asked, coming to stand in front of her.

  “You’re blocking my sun,” she told him.

  “Because from what I remember of how you left this town, you don’t have many friends here.”

  She opened her eyes to glare at him. “Don’t be mean.”

  He sighed. “I don’t understand what you’re doing. For years you couldn’t stand Jase—”

  “That’s not true.” The protest sounded weak even to her own ears.

  “You certainly gave him a hard time. I stopped out at the farm this morning and saw Mom and Davey with his puppy.”

  “Davey bonded with Ruby right away, so Jase was nice enough to bring her by so they could play.”

  “Of course. Jase is a nice guy.”

  “Too nice for someone like me?”

  Noah stepped out of her line of sight, turning so he stood next to her against the wall. “You know he’s had a crush on you for years.”

  “It’s different now. I’m working for him.”

  “Which means you two are spending a lot of time together. He’d moved on until you came back. Jase has a lot of responsibility in this town. Between his practice, his father and now dealing with a real campaign—”

  “I understand, Noah.” She hated being put on the spot and the fact her brother was doing it. “Are you telling me to stay away from him?”

  Noah shook his head. “You’re coming off a bad divorce. I’m saying don’t use Jase as a rebound fling. Both of you could end up hurt.”

  Pushing off the wall, she spun toward him. “It’s Jase you’re worried about, not me.”

  “Emily—”

  “No. You don’t know anything about my marriage.”

 
; “Why is that?” He ran a hand through his hair. “How the hell am I supposed to understand anything about your life? You cut me out after Dad died.”

  “That was mutual and you know it.”

  “I thought we were doing better since Mom’s illness?”

  “We are, Noah. But it might be too soon for brotherly lectures on my private life.”

  “Nothing is private in Crimson. You know that. Besides, I thought you came back to here to heal?”

  “Maybe Jase is a part of me healing.” Until she said the words out loud, she hadn’t realized how true they were. Tears sprang to the backs of her eyes and she swiped at her cheek, refusing to allow herself to break down. She’d promised herself she was finished with crying after she’d left Henry.

  Noah cursed under his breath. “I’m sorry. Don’t cry.”

  “I’m not crying,” she whispered and her voice cracked.

  “You really care about him.”

  “We’re friends. It’s not a fling. Not a rebound. I don’t know what is going on between us, but I’m not going to hurt him. I think...” She paused, forced herself to meet Noah’s worried gaze. “I think I’m good for him. It goes both ways, Noah. I know it does.”

  “Okay, honey.” Noah pulled her in for a tight hug. She resisted at first, holding on to her anger like an old friend. But her brother didn’t let go, and after a few moments she sagged against him, understanding that even if he made her crazy, Noah was far better comfort than her temper could ever be.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered into her hair.

  “You’re a good friend to Jase.”

  “But I need to be a better brother to you. You’re important to me. You and Davey both.”

  “You have to say that because I helped your bride pick out a wedding dress that will bring tears to your eyes.”

  “I can’t wait,” he said with a lopsided grin and a dopey look in his eyes that made her smile. “But I’m choosing to tell you the truth about supporting you more. I mean every word.”

  “Then will you help me find my own place to live?”

  “Mom loves having you at the farm.” He frowned. “She loves helping with Davey and having you close.”

  “I’ll still be close, but I want a home of my own, even if it’s a tiny apartment somewhere. After the wedding will you help me look?”

  “Of course.”

  “Do you have any prewedding nerves?” she asked, stepping out of his embrace. “You spent a long time avoiding commitment.”

  “I was a master,” he agreed.

  “Marriage is a big deal, especially when there’s a baby on the way.”

  “I felt the baby kick the other night.”

  “Oh, Noah.”

  “It made this whole thing feel real. I mean, I know it’s real but...yes, I’m nervous.” He looked over her shoulder toward the mountains in the distance. “Not about marrying Katie. I can’t believe I was blind for so long, but now I’ve got her and I’m never letting go.” He took a breath, then said, “Even if I don’t deserve her.”

  “You do.” She nudged him with her hip. “You’re a pain in my butt, but you deserve happiness.”

  “What if I mess up? What if I can’t be as good as Dad?”

  “Don’t compare yourself.” She gave a small laugh. “Do you think I could ever hold a candle to Mom?”

  “You’re an amazing mother.”

  “You’ll be an amazing dad.” She held up her hand, fist closed. “We’ve got this, bro.”

  “Are you trying to be cool?”

  She shrugged and lifted her hand higher. “Don’t leave me hanging.”

  With a laugh, Noah fist-bumped her, then pulled her in for another hug. “We’d better head back inside. I have a feeling Declan and Liam together are a dangerous combination.”

  * * *

  Jase’s lungs burned as he ran the final stretch to the lookout point halfway up the main Crimson Mountain trail. At the top, he bent forward, sucking in the thin mountain air.

  The late-afternoon trail run was supposed to clear his head, but his mind refused to slow down. Images of Emily and his dad swirled inside him, mixing with thoughts of the questions he’d answered at this morning’s campaign breakfast.

  How do you feel about Charles Thompson running against you?

  Do you have too much going on to add mayor to your list of responsibilities?

  When are you going to settle down and start a family?

  Are you worried about not having time to take care of your dad?

  What if Declan starts to drink again?

  He’d answered each of the inquiries with a nod and an understanding smile, but he’d wanted to turn and run from the crowded church hall. Those questions brought up too many emotions inside him. Too much turmoil he couldn’t control. Jase’s greatest fear was losing control and it seemed he had less of a grasp on it with each passing day.

  He sank down to one of the rock formations and watched as Liam Donovan came over the final ridge, a few minutes behind Jase. Liam’s dark hair was stuck to his forehead and his athletic T-shirt plastered to his chest. The run up to the lookout point was almost three miles of vertical switchbacks. Jase had been running this trail since high school but today even the beauty of the forest hadn’t settled him.

  “Are you crazy?” Liam asked, panting even harder than Jase. “You were running like a mountain lion was chasing you.”

  Jase wiped the back of one arm across his forehead. “A mountain lion would have caught you instead of me. I thought you wanted a challenge.”

  “A challenge is different than a heart attack. You’d have a tough time explaining to Natalie that you left me on the side of the mountain.”

  “I wouldn’t have left you.” Jase grinned. “I’m too afraid of your wife.”

  “The strange thing is she’d take that as a compliment.” He sat on a rock across from Jase. “You had a good turnout at the breakfast this morning.”

  “I appreciate you stopping by.”

  “Always happy to do my part with a plate of pancakes. Your dad is a character.”

  Jase laughed. “That’s one word for him.”

  “He’s really proud of you.” Liam used the hem of his shirt to wipe the sweat off his face. “My dad never gave a damn about anything I did. Not as long as I stayed out of his way.”

  Liam’s father owned one of the most successful tech companies in the world. It had been big news in the technology world when Liam broke off to start his own GPS software company and chose Crimson as the headquarters for it.

  “I couldn’t exactly stay out of Declan’s way. I was too busy cleaning up behind him.”

  “A fact your new opponent in the mayor’s race is exploiting?”

  Jase blew out a breath. “Sheriff Thompson has seen me at my lowest. He and my dad grew up together in town and the Thompsons and Crenshaws have always been rivals—sports, women, you name it.” He stood and paced to the edge of the ridge, taking in the view of the town below. “Anytime a situation involved my dad, Thompson made sure he was on the scene. Didn’t matter if it was the weekend or who was on duty. The sheriff always showed up to personally cuff Dad.”

  “Declan seems sincere about changing.”

  “He’s always sincere.” From up here, Jase could see downtown Crimson and the neighborhoods fanning out around it. The creek ran along the edge of downtown, then meandered through the valley and into the thick forest on the other side.

  As a kid, he’d battled the expectations that he’d follow in his father’s footsteps. People always seemed to be waiting for him to make a misstep, to become another casualty of the Crenshaw legend. He’d worked so hard to prove them wrong. When would he be released from the responsibility of making up for mistakes he hadn’t made?

/>   Liam came to stand next to him. “I know what it’s like to have to claw your way out from a father’s shadow. Our backgrounds are different, but disappointment and anger don’t discriminate based on how much you have in the bank.”

  “But you’ve escaped it.”

  “Maybe,” Liam said with a shrug. “Maybe not. My dad is known all over the world. I’ve created a different future for myself but his legacy follows me. I choose to ignore it and live life on my terms.”

  Jase wasn’t sure if he’d even know how to go about setting up his own life away from the restrictions of his past. “When I graduated from law school, a firm in Denver offered me a position. I turned it down to come back to Crimson and take over Andrew Meyer’s family practice.”

  “Do you regret the choice you made?”

  Jase picked up a flat stone from the trail and hurled it over the edge of the ridge. It arced out, then disappeared into the canopy of trees below. “I don’t know. Back then, I was so determined to return to Crimson as a success. Part of it was feeling like I owed something to the people in this town. As much as they judged my family, they also came forward to take care of us when things were rough. After my mom left, we had food in the freezer for months.”

  “Nothing says love in a small town like a casserole.”

  “Exactly,” Jase agreed with a laugh. “There were a couple of teachers who looked after me at school. Once it became clear I was determined to stay on the straight and narrow, the town was generous with its support. I was given a partial scholarship during undergrad and always had a job waiting for me in the summer. I wanted to pay back that kindness, and dedicating myself to the town seemed like the best way to do it.”

  “But...” Liam prompted.

  “I’ve started to wonder what it would have been like to go to work, come home and take care of only myself. Maybe that’s selfish—”

  “It’s not selfish.” Liam lobbed a rock over the side and it followed the same trajectory as Jase’s. “It’s also not too late. I was going to ask if you need support with the campaign. Financial support,” he clarified. “But now I’m wondering if becoming mayor is what you really want?”

  “Does it matter? I’ve committed to it.”