Hometown Courtship (Love Inspired)

by Diann Hunt

  “What do you mean by that?” There was fire in his words.

  “You run so hot and cold with me, Brad. One second you’re kissing me, and the next you’re accusing me of not helping your sister when she was sick. Are you trying to drive me away? Is that what you do when you like someone?”

  “Oh, you’ve known me, what, two weeks, and suddenly you’re the expert on my love life?”

  The conversation was spiraling out of control, but she was too far gone to turn back now. “I’m just saying it’s obvious you’re not into commitments.” She placed her iced tea on the stand beside her chair but was too agitated to sit.

  “And you are? I don’t see an engagement ring on your finger.”

  Okay, that one hurt. Did he know about Jeremy? The whole town seemed to know he had walked out on her. But even Brad Sharp wouldn’t—couldn’t—be that cruel.

  “Look, Brad, our work together is almost over. Can’t we be civil until then?”

  “What about the playhouse?”

  She’d forgotten about Micah’s playhouse. If it weren’t for that precious little girl, there was nothing on this earth that could make her work alongside this man for one more day.

  “Well?” he persisted.

  She took a long, deep breath. “I’ll do it for Micah.” She hung up the phone.

  Callie picked up her glass of iced tea but her hand was trembling, so she put it back down. Tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. She cried tears of shame over her broken relationship with Jeremy. She cried over her confusing attraction to Brad, a man who could be as harsh as he could be nice. She cried over the lost parking tickets, and the fact that she had no money for a party for her aunt and uncle. Tears of regret and shame freely flowed as the rain pounded her rooftop in a torrent.

  Callie knew of course that Jeremy had done the right thing. If he didn’t love her, he shouldn’t marry her. But pride was a ferocious beast, and she struggled to get rid of it, to cut loose from the pain she’d held so close for these past couple of years.

  After her tears were spent, she was more determined than ever to keep her heart guarded. She’d been much too close to caring for Brad Sharp, and she’d been stupid. Never again would another man hurt her the way Jeremy had. No. Other. Man.

  Brad punched his fist into the sofa pillow. “I don’t get that woman at all!” he bellowed through the living room. Hammer glanced up and slunk out of the room. “Yeah, you’d better do that. You’d no doubt take her side. Traitor.”

  He grabbed a soda from the fridge in the kitchen, peeled the tab and flipped it into the trash. “All I did was ask her why she was being nice to Gram. A harmless question, and she blew it out of proportion.” He stomped back into the living room. “Things always turn crazy when I talk to her. I just don’t get it.” He sagged into his chair and clicked on the remote.

  “It’s not like I thought she was after me. I didn’t mean that at all. Though I can think of worse things.” He blew out a frustrated sigh. “She just gets me all stirred up till I don’t know what’s heads or tails.”

  Flipping through the stations, he realized he couldn’t care less about watching TV, so he snapped the remote once more, turning off the television, and threw it on the sofa beside him.

  As he slowly calmed down, he realized that in fact, Callie had been right on the money about a lot of things. He didn’t want to get into a relationship that required a commitment. And he had indeed been giving her mixed signals.

  He hated being wrong.

  He’d get through the house and the playhouse, finish his remodeling job, then pack his bags and be on his way, as though his brother had never sent Callie Easton into his life.

  Yeah, that was what he would do. Everything would be just fine. This would all be behind him, and they could both get on with their lives as they were meant to be.

  Apart.

  The painting was finished at the Sauderses’ house, and the crew was supposed to be working on the punch list today—fixing any last-minute problems, making sure everything was working and ready for occupancy. They were almost done.

  With the way things had been going, Callie needed a pick-me-up, so she’d taken extra care with her appearance today—it just made her feel more in control of her life. She was still reeling from Aunt Bonnie’s friend pulling her into a corner at church yesterday to find out if she was planning to do anything for her aunt and uncle’s thirty-fifth anniversary. When Callie had said yes, the woman suggested a caterer Callie couldn’t possibly afford, and Callie had thanked her and then gotten out of there as fast as she could. She had no idea how she was going to swing the kind of party that Aunt Bonnie and Uncle George deserved.

  Shaking her head, she walked into the house, where only a few people were finishing up. Brad turned around just as she stepped into the room.

  “Brad? Should I call the paint store to see about returning those last two cans of paint?” one of the workers asked.

  Brad stood there, staring at Callie. His expression might have been comical if she hadn’t still been so angry with him, even several days later.

  “Brad,” the volunteer called again, with a knowing grin. “The paint?” He pointed toward the cans.

  Glancing at him, Brad frowned and said, “Yeah, give them a call. Thanks.” He turned back to Callie. “Hey.”

  “Hi.” She looked around. “Where is everyone?”

  Brad shoved a hand in his pocket and leaned on one leg. “Oh, I’m sorry. I should have told you not to come in today. We only need a few people to finish up the items on the punch list. You’re free to go home.”

  “Can’t beat that,” someone said.

  If she had known ahead of time, she might have scheduled some more appointments at the salon. Another reason to be annoyed.

  Brad turned to the others. “Why don’t you guys take a look at that door in the bedroom. I need to talk to Callie a minute.” They nodded and headed for the bedroom, laughing among themselves.

  The last thing Callie wanted was for the others to think there was anything between her and Brad. And she didn’t want to have a private conversation with him. Things always got out of hand when they talked.

  Brad led the way out of the house. “We’ll be doing cleanup tomorrow, so you can come in for that. But your community time has already been served, so you don’t have to come in.”

  “I told you, I finish what I start,” Callie said, keeping a quick pace to her car. If at all possible, she wanted to cut this conversation short.

  He placed his hand on her arm. She stopped walking and turned to face him. “Listen, Callie, can we start over?”

  She just looked at him.

  “I’m sorry about that thing with Gram. I know you didn’t have an ulterior motive. I didn’t mean to imply it. I don’t know what I meant.” He pulled off his hard hat and ran his hand through his hair. “We still have a playhouse to build together. Any chance we could call a truce to get through it?”

  The sincerity in his eyes made her decide to give it a shot. “All right. We’ll try. Again.”

  There was no denying she found Brad attractive. But there was obviously some bad chemistry between them, so she’d keep her mind on business when she was around him, ignoring the hard pounding against her ribs and the velvet brown of his eyes.

  Her resolve was firm. She could do it. She just knew she could.

  Brad headed back toward the house. The whole time he’d been talking to Callie about a truce, he’d been thinking about how beautiful she looked today.

  He rubbed the back of his neck. He’d dated many women in his time, but none of them bugged him the way she did. Getting under his skin was her specialty. And she did it with such ease he didn’t even know it until she was gone.

  He’d gone soft—that’s what he’d done. When she was around, he turned into someone else, someone who couldn’t say what he was thinking.

  He really didn’t mean anything bad about her caring for Gram. It just came out all w
rong. But that was the thing. He couldn’t say anything right when she was around. She confused him. She’d walk into the room and his brain would scramble like knotted electrical wires.

  They’d be civil and get through the playhouse project for Micah’s sake and then part as friends, or acquaintances, or whatever it was that they were.

  Yep. That was the plan. And he aimed to stick to it. Come what may.

  Chapter Ten

  “Hey, girl, I’ve missed you,” Jessica said when Callie walked into the salon. “Seems we keep working at different times.”

  “I know.” Callie began to set things up at her station.

  Jessica joined her, a worry line etched between her brows. “You okay? You look tired.”

  “I’m fine. Just a lot on my mind. I’m trying to save some money for Aunt Bonnie and Uncle George’s anniversary, and it’s not working out so well.”

  Jessica walked back to her station. “Well, this might make you feel better—or not.”

  Callie looked up. “What is it?”

  “I need someone to cover my appointments for a few days. My parents are headed to a bed-and-breakfast in Michigan, and they need me to house-sit.”

  “Wow, what’s the occasion?”

  “No occasion. Dad’s just a romantic. Mom is feeling better, so he wanted to treat her.” Jessica handed Callie a flyer about the bed-and-breakfast.

  Callie gave a long, wistful sigh. “That is so cool. Your mom is lucky to have found a romantic guy like that. Wish they were all that way.”

  “Why do I get the feeling we’re no longer talking about my mom and dad?”

  Callie shrugged.

  “Don’t you worry. One of these days you and I will both find someone who will sweep us off our feet. You mark my words.”

  Callie gave her usual smile, feeling deep inside that it would never happen—at least not for her.

  Jessica retrieved the flyer and went back to her station. “Anyway, Mom and Dad wanted me to house-sit, answer their business calls and take care of their two dogs. Since they live out of town, I’d have to get off work. I was wondering if you could cover my appointments, if you’re not already booked. I wanted to throw it out to you before I told my clients. Since I knew you were trying to make money.”

  Callie grinned. “Oh, that would be great. That will help me a lot.”

  “What are you planning for your aunt and uncle anyway?” Jessica moved the products from her stand and swiped it with a rag.

  “I don’t know yet. I would love to send them to Hawaii. A big party would be nice, but I don’t think I can afford that.”

  “Are those things they would want or things you think they would want?”

  Callie paused. “You know, that’s a good point. Maybe I’d better find out before I plan anything.”

  “They adore you, Callie. They’ll be happy with whatever you give them.”

  Callie knew Jessica was right, but she still wanted to give them a great party, a gift, or trip. It was, really, the least she could do for them.

  The next day, while Callie swept the living-room floor of the Sauderses’ home, Brad took Mick through the house for a final inspection. It had to be frightening to move into a brand new home, knowing you had lost your job, but Mick looked excited. The Sauders were pretty amazing. Always smiling, always trusting.

  Callie decided she needed to be more trusting. She’d gone to church with her aunt and uncle all her life. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe the stories of the Bible—she did. But life wasn’t always that easy. Deep down she knew she harbored resentment toward God for not sparing her the pain Jeremy had caused. Guess she had expected God to change Jeremy’s mind.

  With determined strokes, she swished the broom hard across the floor. It wasn’t fair to blame God. After all, she wouldn’t want Jeremy just because God “made” him choose her. She wanted him to love her on his own. And he didn’t.

  The pain was easier now, of course. Her love for him had faded, but she clung to her resentment for some reason. It was as though she wanted to savor it, take it out and examine it, allow the sweet taste of self-righteousness to fill her mouth.

  She swept up the dirt and sawdust, thinking about the Sauders and how much they would enjoy this home. Callie could almost hear Micah laughing and running into the room. What she hadn’t expected was the vision of Chaos romping along behind her. Where had that come from?

  “How you doing this morning?” Brad’s voice startled her and she turned around.

  That lazy grin again. She was so thankful he didn’t know that that grin caused her heart to beat triple time and her face to burn like a heat lamp. Couldn’t he do the decent thing and keep it hidden or something?

  “Hi, Brad.” She didn’t know what else to say.

  Mick Sauder stepped into view. “Hi, Mick,” Callie said, thankful for the interruption.

  “Good to see you, Callie.” He turned to Brad. “Did you tell her our good news?”

  “Not yet. You go ahead.”

  “I got a job,” Mick said, grinning from ear to ear.

  “That’s wonderful, Mick,” Callie said.

  “Yeah, we’re excited. I’ll be working at the Burrow Tool & Die Factory, starting next week, making parts for them. I’ll be on second shift, three to eleven, so if you guys need me for anything, keep that in mind, okay?”

  “Will do,” Brad said.

  “Doesn’t Andrea still work eight to five at the diner?”

  “Just on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” he said.

  “What will you do about Micah?” Callie knew it was none of her business, but she couldn’t help herself.

  Mick dropped his gaze. “On those days, Micah will have to stay inside until Andrea gets home from work. She knows not to go outside or open the door for strangers,” he said, as though reading Callie’s mind. “Unfortunately, we can’t afford a sitter. But Micah will be okay.”

  “I would love to have Micah with me,” Callie blurted, before she had a chance to think it through.

  Mick looked up. “But what about your work?”

  “I could take her to the salon with me. Andrea goes right by there on her way home.”

  He looked at Brad, who was smiling. “The woman’s got a point.”

  “I could even paint her nails, if you wouldn’t mind,” Callie said with a grin.

  “She would love it. That’s real nice of you, Callie. Let me talk to Andrea about it, but I’m sure she’ll be crazy about the idea. We’ll get back to you, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “Well, just wanted you to know about the job, so the powers that be won’t be sorry they picked us for this house,” Mick said to Brad.

  “Never doubted it for a minute,” Brad said.

  Gratitude filled Mick’s eyes. “See you guys later.” Mick waved at the other workers who called out their goodbyes and stepped into the day’s sunshine.

  “That was real nice, what you did,” Brad said.

  The praise embarrassed her. “I just don’t want Micah to be alone.”

  His eyes twinkled. “Callie Easton to the rescue.”

  His comment made her feel foolish until she looked into his eyes and saw admiration shining in them.

  “If you need help, or if you get in a pinch and I’m available, I’ll be glad to help.” His gaze held hers.

  Those brown eyes….

  Someone called to Brad before Callie could comment. Which was a good thing, because she got the hiccups and quickly turned away.

  She wondered just how she was going to add babysitting to her already full plate, but somehow she knew she could do it. And if she happened to need a little help, well, it was nice to know Brad was willing.

  Following the cleanup at the Sauderses’ home on Tuesday, Callie spent the next two days working at the salon. After work on Friday afternoon, she stopped by to check on the Sauderses’ project.

  The crew had leveled the soil, planted grass seed and shrubs. Not only was it the end of another w
ork-week, but it was the end of another building project. Surprisingly, sadness tugged at Callie’s heart. She took one last look at the home before getting into her car. Who could have known her lost parking tickets would turn into a blessing? She wouldn’t trade the experience of building the Sauderses’ home for anything. She’d had her struggles, but she had learned a lot.

  “Hard to imagine it’s over, isn’t it?” Brad said, walking toward her.

  She nodded and smiled.

  “Every project is bittersweet. Bitter because you don’t know if it’s all going to come together, and sweet when it does and you get to see how happy you’ve made a family.”

  “Yeah, I see what you mean,” Callie said.

  “So, you’re not sorry you had to serve time here?”

  She looked up at him and he winked.

  She laughed. He really was trying to get along with her, and she needed to just enjoy his presence and stop trying to read into his comments or actions. “No, I’m not sorry.”

  “Good. I’m glad you helped. I mean, because you were a good worker and all—once you had your coffee and muffin anyway.”

  “Well, I’d better cut down on those muffins, or I’ll have to start working out at the gym.” As soon as she said that, she wished she hadn’t. The last thing she wanted to discuss was anything that made him think of Nicole.

  “I’d say the muffins haven’t hurt you any.”

  “Thanks,” she said quickly, hoping to move on.

  “But if you’re worried, I could help you out.”

  That piqued her interest. “Oh, yeah?”

  “Yeah.” He scratched his whiskers and glanced at the sky. “Still plenty of daylight, and it just so happens I have two bikes at my house. How about we go for a ride?”

  She was taken aback by his offer. A bike ride? The two of them? Weren’t they still in truce mode? Although biking certainly didn’t sound like a date. Sweating off the pounds was a far cry from a candlelit dinner. Sounded like a safe offer. “What kind of bikes do you have?”

  “Road bikes. Good ones. I have mine and my sister’s. I’m sure she would be pleased if you wanted to use hers.” He studied her for a moment. “Of course, you’re probably tired and hungry, and it’s the last thing you want to do on a Friday night.” He gave her a sideways glance. “You may even have plans already.”